Museum bust forms are types of bust form that are used to display historical clothing in museums. Bust forms are a branch of mannequin that typically consist of only the torso, and do not have arms or a head. They usually come in a range of different forms, including female, male and child bust forms.
Due to their nature of displaying historical artefacts, museum bust forms are often available in a range of sizes and styles that are suitable for both contemporary and period clothing.
At Proportion London, we have supplied bust forms to esteemed museums and galleries worldwide. Our diverse collection comprises of over 100 variations in male, female, and children’s sizes. Additionally, we specialise in manufacturing tailor-made bust forms that will work in any museum, whether it’s a heritage display or a contemporary exhibit.
Our selection of bust forms includes a variety of traditional shapes, including Victorian, Edwardian, and Belle Epoque styles. Each form comes upholstered in a standard calico finish, but customisation options are available upon request.
Handmade in our London factory, our museum bust forms can be crafted from a number of different materials, including papier mache, fibreglass and bio resin. All busts are finished with a smooth surface to eliminate stress to historical garments and then sprayed in water-based paint in a colour or covered in a conservation-grade material of your choice.
We offer interchangeable options such as the addition of wooden articulated arms and head/headless, meaning that you can position your mannequin in a number of different poses to suit your particular exhibit.
We have a choice of different cuts, so that you can choose a bust form that perfectly fits your requirements. For example, we offer a full body bust form that features a long-length body, providing full hip coverage that works well for dresses and coats. We also offer a cutaway body that has been adapted for trouser display. Our knitwear form is a female shape that is cut just below the hip, perfect for showcasing blouses and knitwear. Finally, our blouson form is a male shape, specifically designed with a cut at the hip height to display shirts and suits easily.
Our museum bust forms all come with a traditional tailoring mechanism, featuring a neck cap and wooden bust runner mechanism to ensure full rotation of the form while tailoring a garment.
Explore our selection of museum-specific bust forms available for sale. We carefully curate a range of quality options, regardless of what type of clothing you are displaying.
If you’re looking for customised, one-of-a-kind bust forms to showcase your historical relics, discover our custom creation services. We can help you design a form that perfectly suits your vision.
Museum busts are used to display historical clothing in a historically accurate and educational way, allowing visitors to learn about the past and visualise how historical figures would have looked in centuries past.
Much like mannequins, museum bust forms are typically made from materials like papier mache and covered in calico or conservation grade fabric.
Museum bust forms are often created with materials that minimise the risk of damage to historical clothing. They may incorporate features such as acid-free padding and covers to protect delicate fabrics from wear over time.
Yes, museum bust forms can be customised to fit your specific requirements. These customisations can include variations in size, shape, and finish to align with specific exhibit themes or accurately represent historical periods. Customisation allows museums to create a tailored and immersive display experience.