framers out of their depths

[Reynard]

At what point do framers admit defeat and pass on work to someone who has a clue?

I had a lady in on Thursday with a canvas that had been damaged.I told her what should be done and left it up to her whether she went any further.I also was able to let her know that the painting was by a relatively well known scottish artist from the early twentieth century and she should get it valued for insurance.She had previously had it framed around ten years ago by some idiot that advised her to get it reframed because the ornate frame it was in had "a few chips in it"....which makes my blood boil.Why not give the job to a framer who will repair this type of frame rather than seeing pound signs.

She came back in on friday with another painting.This one she had reframed last year by another fool in town.The frame which was a mid nineteenth century carved frame had been jettisoned in favour of a dire off the peg effort which vaguely matched her curtains or something.The painting was in fact by a very well known artist of that era and could be a potentially important lost work.I telephoned a dealer I do business with and he came down to the shop on saturday to see it and valued it at around £90000(he took it back to his gallery as I,m not insured for that kind of money...but why on earth do framers do stuff like this?Especially when they know full well there is a guy in town who can repair and advise on things like this?Is it sheer stupidity or fear of losing a sale?I mean the framing jobs they got amounted to not very much but the potential harm in parting the original frames from these paintings is incalculable.

I,m not sure if anybody will bother with this post but I feel let down by some of these so called professionals.I,m angry actually.

 

[PurplePerson1]

At our shop, we have a list of experts we refer people to for such things. They apraise it, repair what we do not want to take the chance on damaging because of the value, and even reproduce it so the original can be packed away to ensure conservation.

we are the only ones in town that generally handle such things.

Jana has a degree in art and is good at spotting the things that need care out of our element. However, in the end, if it is ok to frame, we do the framing.

 

[Cliff Wilson]

I can't understand people taking on something they shouldn't?! About a month ago a gentleman came in with a piece which I strongly suggested needed a conservator and a qualified appraisal.

He left the store somewhat annoyed at me for not re-framing for him. He came in last week and told me the conservator I recommended sent him to a specialist and it looks like there may be some "real" value in the piece. He was thrilled and says he will bring in other work for me and recommend me. Sometimes not doing the work is the biggest win!

Maybe those other framers were SO clueless that it didn't even occur to them there was value to worry about??? I like to think clueless is more likely than greedy to the point of deliberate damage. Of course, that doesn't help the customer at all!

Cliff

 

[Jim Miller]

There may be lots of reasons framers take in work that is beyond their abilities, but here are a few that come to mind:

1. They don't realize the harm they cause; they don't comprehend their ignorance.
2. They think it won't matter in the long term.
3. They think that if there are consequences to pay, someone else will get the bill later.
4. They really don't care about anything past the immediate sale.

[ 02-17-2003, 11:59 AM: Message edited by: Jim Miller ]