Andover Figures

​The Andover Figures costume-mounting system was developed by Museum Textile Services in 2015. We use 100% archival Ethafoam® forms designed specifically to meet the challenges of costume display in small museums.​ Collections-care specialists are limited to a few expensive options for conservation-safe manikins. Faced with budget restrictions, small museums often resort instead to using ill-fitting store manikins and dress forms made of non-archival materials. 

The Andover Figures system is different. Designed by a textile conservator and a costume specialist, our forms are fully customizable and can be reused countless times. The system is based on building out—rather than carving away—to support any size garment from any time period.
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