Clear acrylic showcases were fabricated by Allplastics Engineering for the artefacts being displayed as part of a unique exhibition on French history at the National Gallery of Australia (NGA) in Canberra.

The exhibition, Versailles: Treasures of the Palace is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Australians to view and experience an incredible period of French history with more than 130 paintings, intricate tapestries, gilded furniture items, monumental statues and other objects from the royal gardens on display. Personal items from Louis XIV to Marie Antoinette are also part of the unique exhibition, bringing to life the reigns of three Kings, their Queens and mistresses, in a fascinating journey through a tumultuous period of French history.

Allplastics was approached by the NGA to fabricate clear acrylic showcase covers designed to protect the valuable paintings and artefacts during the exhibition. Some of the Plexiglas showcases measured up to 2m x 1.5m x 800mm in 8mm and 10mm thick sheets, and had to be fabricated with minimum glue marks and joined to withstand handling on site.

Daryl West Moore, the consultant exhibition designer commented that the Allplastics team was able to fabricate extremely high quality displays within a short deadline with the relatively large displays expertly packed into crates and transported from Sydney to Canberra.

The acrylic displays along with the French exhibits can be viewed at the NGA until 17th April.