Frame Selection help?

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Cliff Wilson

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A customer (U.S. Presidential Museum) wants me to frame some "center piece" lobby pieces. He would like "nice" fancy gold frames that match the era (1800s) that most of the museum represents.

I have been doing a number of pieces for him and the latest display can be seen on my web site here: Museum Views

The centerpieces in the above display are LJ Monterey #858404 and #458404. (Gilded Federalist style frames.) The rest of the display uses Larsons Academie line.

He doesn't mind paying, but he doesn't want to wait! First question was "Can I have it by Tuesday?" (less than one week!) (this pretty much eliminates any of the custom closed-corner vendors.) He kind of likes ornate frames, but shiney is good too.

I am currently thinking the LJ Monterey #648402 which is about 2 3/4" gilded. I (he) doesn't really want to use the same frame in this new display, but wants a similar "period look." The pieces that need framing are about 32 by 26, so they can handle a reasonable size frame, but I didn't want to go too wide and over power them. One is an original charicature of ALL the presidents in the same large ornate room. The other is the presidential seal, the american flag (small) and the name of the Museum.

I have looked at a number of the AMPF gilded frames and they might be ok, but I think they are too "antiqued" for what he wants. I think shiney is better.

I was also considering the LJ Imperial line, probably # 643IG.

Comments? Pointers to frames from the period (and American) I might look at? I am looking for History documents here, not necessarily a catalog.

Thanks,
Cliff
 
I know it is not your fault.

Why do customers think that they can have it yesterday. In that environment they should be looking at finished corner frames, period.

Because they procrastinated, does not make it an emergency on your part. Many of the distributors are actually closed this week.
 
Federal Period frames are often seen with relative
bright gold, but some (light) rub is useful to
show a bit of the blue clay that was used under
the gilding (on American frames). Any of the Long
Island City frame makers should be able to come
up with good, historically accurate patterns,
which can be ordered with light rub and antiquing,
and no distressing. The only question that remains
is time.

Hugh
 
Jerome, it isn't exactly that he procrastinates. An event gets scheduled and he has a "great idea" for the event. Of course the "great idea" comes after the event is schedule. The "signers" display pointed to in my original post had to be done in less than two weeks. The good news is ... he keeps them coming and he pays promptly!

Hugh, yes, time is the key. But, if I can show him something perfect, he may "wait" a little bit. Maybe I'll call my AMCI rep and see what he can get me.

Judy, some day I plan on doing that kind of work. But, I don't really want to be trying something new on this guy. He is my biggest customer.

BTW, if it wasn't clear, it is a private museum. Open to the public by appointment only. I've done some other really fun things for him as well.
 
If I were the one doing the framing for a museum, I would try to sway him toward historically accurate frames. A privately owned museum could get some pretty savvy people through it's doors, and I think a historically inaccurate display could bother some. It might help you to make this part of your argument.

I found AMCI pretty quick ot deliver. I would call and see if they can help you out. If you need shiney, ask for a water-gilded finish. Even if the sample you have is not water-gilded, they can do it.

If you can get to buy just one finished corner frame, I bet he will buy more.

Bomar is the name of a company where you can get compo ornaments. Unfortunately, they make all their ornaments to order, and take maybe three weeks to get.
 
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