I owned a dollhouse when I was little and I loved to collect small things like fancy small stones, seashells, dozens of figurines and furniture and artwork under about and inch and a half honoring both the fantasy and animal kingdoms respectively. In various places of my childhood bedroom(s), there was a special place reserved for the small things I collected wherever I went somewhere and saw these to buy (if I had enough money).

Some of the miniatures were given as gifts like my very recent Artisan Lilies received last August, and then some childhood favorites saved from over the years, it started to get a bit weighted in the original area it has sat in nearly five years now. Up until about two months ago, this handy display piece was holding up well and serving a great place for my ‘collectibles’ in the living room hanging below the window for everyone to see; now it is in the computer room/office on a desk for stability and the cheeriness appeal I was seeking. It had a better chance of less sagging in he middle from a few items weighing more than the few ounces it can hold, so I moved her to a new location.

She loves it her new sturdy desk and this product can still display your miniatures (without being hung on a pegs on a wall, whether they be a collection of porcelain figurines, animals, fantasy creations, and even lighters !

Now on with my review …

|| APPEARANCE ||

A fully designed use-able out of the box, back-less miniature display shelving unit constructed of solid wood in a neutral beige-blonde-brown color is a great addition to the collector with a lot of under 7” high or 8” wide and hopefully weighing less than a few ounces, only, collectibles of all sorts.

The Aztec Miniature Open-Back Shelving sold at Miniatures offers three thinner shelves attached to a base of three thicker and a deeper dimensional area to display wider items. It is smooth to the touch however if some sanding is needed which I doubt would be, use the smallest finest grain paper.

|| CARE & CLEANING ||

As far as care, this only attracts dust and must be first emptied of all the miniatures then feather-dusted OR polished with a cloth partially-saturated in a natural wood cleaner and shining agent. (Make sure it is non-whitening, stripping, and won’t dull or damage the treated dark blonde-brown wood.

|| COMPANY INFO ||

It turns out the company has been around since the arrival of my new dollhouse when I was just in my formative years, so it was likely this accessory was purchased a few years later in either a retail department store or a hobby craft shop. Since 1972, Aztec has considered the childs’ mind as the inception of real fun, where the imagination can be soared to new heights with the most simple, tiny, extraordinary items of enjoyment.

The company encourages the hands-on from an adult supervising a child to build, electrify (illuminate), furnish and paint their own architectural dream buildings. The pieces are small when constructing is necessary but instructions and even a customer support crew at websites where this product is distributed through could help with assembly.

Aztec Inc does not expect all products to require assembly when purchased and brought home and this is one of them. A fully designed use-able out of the box, back-less miniature display shelving unit constructed of solid wood, is a great addition to the collector with a lot of under 7” high or 8” wide and hopefully weighing less than a few ounces, only.

|| COST ||

I see the compare prices icons show two distributors of the Aztec Miniature Open-Back Shelving sold at Miniatures at under $10.oo which is accurate as I think the one I had in my room when I still owned ‘the dollhouse’, was about $5.oo or $6.oo, but that was quite some time ago.

|| DIMENSIONS ||

The information off the box is long gone; however the show details icon assists you with product information further down the page when you access that info. The dimensions are as follows: 8 1/8” W x 7 7/8” H x 2” D

|| NEGATIVES ||

If you store it without any sense to wrap it in bubble-wrap, these things are semi- delicate and won’t withstand banging against or crashing into, so keep it out of harm’s way but in clear eye’s view. If you are going to put small glass items on the shelves make sure no-one will be close enough to upset the display and have pieces crash to the floor. If glass will be used, place above a carpeted area and out of the way.

|| POSITIVES ||

I appreciate that this Aztec Miniature Open-Back Shelving sold at Miniatures is delivered or bought and in box, pre-assembled therefore no assembly is required upon opening it and removing from the packaging contents. Since there are no front and back panels or cabinet doors to close the display to public eye-appeal, you can catch morning and evening sun rays on your collectibles casting beautiful colors if crystal or glass is displayed and if anything else, a cheery glow.

I can place twenty very small animal figurines on all three top shelves and bigger but only ten to fifteen items on the lower shelves. I don't have enough lighters to display a whole row so I intersperse lighters with figurines or change to animals and people or just statues of things.

|| VERDICT (my) ||

The shelving unit is versatile as you can constantly re-arrange the order of highlights in your collection both horizontally and vertically as the Concertina wine rack  accomplishes. This unit is best moved when fully emptied of its precious cargo, so as not to damage any of the collectibles. It is rather affordable and easy to maintain.

I rated this on holding power and longevity as well as resistance to finger oils when constantly touched or moved from place to place should it be your center of focus when decorating an area of a room. Collectors of all ages can appreciate the easy access to reach and grab one of their collectibles to either admire closely or actually play with, such as a few hot wheels from the good ole days.

Just a note of product versatility and the use of it: I have seen this unit hold strange things also like virtually weightless boxes of paper clips, staples, post-it-notes and things that don’t require a front or back to support them keeping them standing upright.

This means it can be used in an office environment or the gallery, if you will.

A **** ½ star rating has been assigned with the ½ star for not being just slightly taller on some of the shelves instead of the same horizontally, to design and create displays with more emphasis on presentation than just the individual pieces, but that is just preference on my part.

Thank you for reading and enjoy your toys !
Always, erica ~the music enlightenment advisor

Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 8.oo ?
Type of Toy: Arts and Crafts
Age Range of Child: Whole Family