A display stand is any support made to present an object to advantage, from a small carved wooden base for a vase or bronze to a plate stand, easel, torchère, pedestal or tiered étagère. The term covers stands made as part of an object, stands made separately in the period, and modern mounts designed for the safe exhibition of antiques.
Carved hardwood stands were integral to the Chinese and Japanese presentation of porcelain, jade and bronzes, and good early stands are now collected in their own right. In European interiors, marble and scagliola plinths, giltwood brackets, ebonised pedestals and mahogany jardinière stands raised sculpture, urns and plants to eye level, while the Victorians made wide use of wire and brass plate stands, easels for pictures and glass domes on turned bases. Collectors value stands that are original to the piece they support, and a well-fitted period stand can add appreciably to value. When displaying fragile objects, stability matters as much as appearance: a stand should be weighted correctly, fit the base snugly and avoid pressure points. Discreet acrylic or metal mounts are widely used today where an antique stand is not available.
