frame design in 1871

[kbaframer]

I have an old Civil War document (16x20) that has damaged edges. The client wants to use the existing frame which is also 16x20.Matting does not seem appropriate tothe period. Does anyone know if linen liners were in use at that time and would it be appropriate to use one to camouflage the damaged edges?

 

[Pat Murphey]

The simplest solution is to find a solid core 4ply that matches the aged color of the document and gives you spacing to the glazing. Bainbridge 86xx and Crescent 11xx give you a good selection of "antique" tones.

 

[Baer Charlton]

Fabric panel inner-frames date well into the 18thC. You might consider something other than linen that would harmonize more with the decor of the period, such as a cut pile velor, or a Moire silk. Moire was very popular from the end of the Victorian era up through the 1920s.

 

[RParrish]

I bet black frames and white mats were still in style.

 

[GUMBY GCF]

Here is an 1888 watercolour
The top mat 8488 bottom 8424
Frame is a International 1520-10

 

[happycamper]

very nice frame design. I love the old pieces.

 

[Finest Fabric]

I know, I know, if you can't say something nice don't say it at all.....

But Gumby, while your frame design is great, it has nothing whatsoever to do with the piece it surrounds, at least in keeping with period style. Sorry....

And yes, mats were invented by 1871. But the majority of framers had little if any use for them. Most pieces were presented, still, right up against the glass, and framed to the edge of the piece.

Pieces were presented with paper mats however, and it would be entirely appropriate to mat the piece with a nice "olden" colored rag mat. Maybe with straight cut edges instead of bevels.... and maybe even with a little embossed line edging surrounding the opening.

Probably not entirely period appropriate but acceptable and beautiful... the addition of a gilded edge or fillet around the opening... Or a few ink lines...

You could certainly get away with a nice fabric wrapped mat as well - linen seems like the obvious choice. Also, while perhaps not entirely period appropriate, a gilded fillet. Many many documents and works on paper are presented this way in important museums and collections.

Wrapped liners, sure they were used sometimes too. Mostly hideous velvets...But this is 2010, and the introduction of lots of wood into your frame package can create some issues with the ultimate conservation of the piece. There are ways to deal with that - but I'd use a mat......

 

[GUMBY GCF]

I was pretty sure the scriffito frames & paper mats were available during the late 1800's. But guess I should have checked with you first. I like your authentic choices better anyway. Can't go wrong there kbaframer. Did not mean to try and misdirect you with poor choices.

 

[Finest Fabric]

Hey Gumby - guess I had a bad day when I wrote all that -

And should have coupled "period" with "keeping in the style of...".

The watercolor looks to be British or American (hard to tell the style of ships presented but I think I am correct).

As far as period goes - Sgraffito has been around in framing since the Renaissance (and before in other arts) , well before this piece was painted. And of course it is still in use. But it is an inherently Italian design - so the appropriateness of its use on a late 18th c. likely American piece comes into question here.

 

[Baer Charlton]

Although Sgraffito started on frames during the Renaissance in Italy (which the Italians don't use the "S"), the pattern on International 1520-10 is neither Sgraffito or graffito.

That pattern is an applied pattern that dates back to Saxon English with the rise of Christianity on the island during the 900s. Then, there was not the Trinity, but rather the faith in the two Son and Mother who would intercede on our behalf. The "woven vines of ivy" symbolized that bond and tie. The little weird thing in the middle is called the "dove". It was as close to outright naming the holy spirit as they would get.

During this time, less than 5% of the population could even read their names, much less anything else; so stories and information was passed and told through symbols. There are some patterns of the English Ivy that are still passed today. . . although the meaning and rich religious undertones have since been lost.

With that being said, going to sea is a very spiritual thing during the age of the tall ships like the one in picture. So I see nothing unfitting about the picture and frame.... but the pink mat is a whole different bean of canned worms.

IMHO, the painting is American, New England..... mid to late 1880s. You can see some of that same school in Sargent's and Nobles works.

 

[danny boy]

I have an old Civil War document (16x20) that has damaged edges. The client wants to use the existing frame which is also 16x20.Matting does not seem appropriate tothe period. Does anyone know if linen liners were in use at that time and would it be appropriate to use one to camouflage the damaged edges?

I think the damaged edges add character. Seems a shame to cover them. What did you ever decide to do?