Preserving Service, History & Family Legacy
Many military collections contain much more than medals alone.
Photographs, service records, certificates, insignia and personal keepsakes often provide the context that brings a story to life. Displaying these items together can transform a collection into a meaningful tribute that preserves both the history and the individual behind it.
Whether the collection belongs to a veteran, a family member or has been passed down through generations, thoughtful framing helps ensure the story remains protected and accessible for years to come.
What Can Be Included in a Medal Display?
Every project is unique.
A custom medal frame may incorporate:
Military Medals • Service Medals • Photographs • Service Records • Certificates • Citations • Unit Insignia • Cap Badges • Rank Slides • Name Plaques • Patches • Letters • Family Memorabilia
These elements can be combined to create a more complete and personal representation of service and history.
Military Medal Mounting
Military medal mounting is a specialist discipline with established standards governing the order of wear, alignment and presentation of medals.
Correct mounting ensures medals are displayed accurately and respectfully before they are incorporated into a framed display.
Because mounting decisions are not easily reversible, we recommend using an experienced specialist medal mounter before framing.
For medal mounting services, we recommend:
Tony Prowse
tsprowse@xtra.co.nz
Custom Shadow Box Framing
Most military medal framing projects benefit from shadow box framing.
Unlike standard picture frames, shadow boxes provide the depth required to safely accommodate medals and three-dimensional items without placing pressure on the contents.
Depending on the project, framing may include:
Shadow Box Framing • Conservation Mounting • Matboard Options • Deep Rebated Frames • UV-Filtering Glass • Archival Materials
This approach allows medals and memorabilia to be displayed securely while maintaining a clean, professional presentation.
Framing Medals for Display or Wear
Some medals continue to be worn for ANZAC Day services, remembrance ceremonies and military commemorations.
Where required, displays can be designed to:
Allow Medals to Be Removed for Wear • Display Replica Medals • Incorporate Both Original and Replica Sets • Create Separate Display and Wearable Collections
This provides flexibility while helping preserve original medals from unnecessary handling.
Conservation & Long-Term Preservation
Military medals, photographs and service documents can be vulnerable to light damage, environmental fluctuations and unsuitable framing materials.
Where appropriate, we can incorporate:
Archival Mountboards • Conservation Materials • UV-Filtering Glass • Museum Glass • Acid-Free Components • Reversible Mounting Techniques
These materials help protect medals and associated memorabilia while maintaining their appearance and integrity over time.
Trusted Since 1985
Since 1985, Van Uffelen Gallery & Picture Framing has assisted New Zealand families, veterans, collectors and organisations with the preservation and presentation of significant items and family treasures.
Our experience includes military medals, commemorative displays, historic photographs, service documents and custom shadow box framing projects of all sizes.
Every collection tells a story. Our role is to help present that story with care, craftsmanship and respect.
Related Services
Memorabilia & Shadow Box Framing • Conservation & Archival Framing • Historic Document Framing • Photo Framing • Object & 3D Item Framing • Custom Display Cases
Need Help with Medal Framing?
If you have military medals, service medals or family memorabilia that you would like professionally framed, we’d be happy to discuss the most appropriate presentation and preservation options.
Whether the project involves a single medal or a complete family military collection, we can help create a display that honours both the item and the story behind it.
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