Displaying Your Collection: Glass Display Case (Detolf)

Article Summary: A review of Ikea’s Detolf Glass Display Case.

Displaying Your Collection: Glass Display Case (Detolf) 

Collectors are often looking for ways in which to display pieces in their collections. Once of the easiest ways to make a display quickly, as well as protect your piece or pieces from damage, is to invest in a generic (i.e. not customized to your piece) display case available on the web or via local brick and mortar stores.

One popular choice that I’ve used with my collection are the freestanding “Detolf” cases available from Ikea.

One, they are relatively inexpensive ($59.99), whereas a customized case of that size and quality would likely cost you hundreds of dollars.

Two, they are attractive and relatively easy to put together (though challenging to move around due to the weight of all the glass).

Three, they are fairly versatile as to what you can display, but keep in mind each shelf height is set – so you can either have shelves in each of the designated places, or opt to not have a shelf on any of the spots for larger items. As an example, I have a tall mask that take up two shelf spaces, and a baseball bat that takes up three.

There is also an option to include a light at the top (sold separately), but in experimenting with that, I preferred it without the light.

The standard, I guess now “classic” type has wood laminate on the top and bottom (the rest is glass). Ikea just came out with a new version with white tops and bottoms, which I think looks a little better.

Here is a photo of one of my cases (V for Vendetta mask and hero dagger on display):

Here is another shot showing a wide hallway with a row of Detolf cases:

I’ve generally been very pleased with these cases. One other plus of using them is that if you have any “flux” in your collection (selling, buying, trading), it is nice to have a place to put new acquisitions as soon as you’ve obtained them.

Jason De Bord