Framar
WOW Framer
I wish to report that one of my customers actually WENT to the conservator!!! And the conservator is DOING the work!!! And it didn't cost the earth!!!
I am talking about a 200 year old Chinese painting on a long narrow layered paper scroll. This thing was in BAD shape! Torn, filthy, ragged! The customer was very attached to the thing yet reluctant to have it framed because of the size and cost (to include the wooden ends of the scroll would entail a shadowbox) and this thing was about 2 feet by 7 feet.
So, after MANY years and many discussions about this piece, I FINALLY convinced them to take it to the Conservation School at Buff State (which was conveniently having an open house that very day). I packaged it securely for the trip across town and campus and the piece was viewed by many "tsk-tsk-ing" conservators and students.
(who commented on my brilliant packaging techniques).
It was decided that before anything should be done, the value of the piece be determined. So the customer took it to our best local antique and art appraiser. This appraiser told them that the piece, though old, was one of MANY of its kind, and that therefor the wooden ends could safely be CUT OFF - thereby making the piece smaller and easier to conserve.
The piece was then taken to a paper conservator who trimmed it down and then sent them a price quote for relining. They were shaking in their boots, expecting a huge sum like $800. Turned out to be ONLY $200!!!!!
So - finally - the piece will be SAVED and then I can frame it!!!!! And it won't be a seven foot shadowbox!!!
I also have an argument for the customer if they complain about the frame price: "After all - you saved $600 on the conservation!" LOL!
This incident reminded me about Hugh's new article on the desires of the present and the future.
I am talking about a 200 year old Chinese painting on a long narrow layered paper scroll. This thing was in BAD shape! Torn, filthy, ragged! The customer was very attached to the thing yet reluctant to have it framed because of the size and cost (to include the wooden ends of the scroll would entail a shadowbox) and this thing was about 2 feet by 7 feet.
So, after MANY years and many discussions about this piece, I FINALLY convinced them to take it to the Conservation School at Buff State (which was conveniently having an open house that very day). I packaged it securely for the trip across town and campus and the piece was viewed by many "tsk-tsk-ing" conservators and students.
(who commented on my brilliant packaging techniques).
It was decided that before anything should be done, the value of the piece be determined. So the customer took it to our best local antique and art appraiser. This appraiser told them that the piece, though old, was one of MANY of its kind, and that therefor the wooden ends could safely be CUT OFF - thereby making the piece smaller and easier to conserve.
The piece was then taken to a paper conservator who trimmed it down and then sent them a price quote for relining. They were shaking in their boots, expecting a huge sum like $800. Turned out to be ONLY $200!!!!!
So - finally - the piece will be SAVED and then I can frame it!!!!! And it won't be a seven foot shadowbox!!!
I also have an argument for the customer if they complain about the frame price: "After all - you saved $600 on the conservation!" LOL!
This incident reminded me about Hugh's new article on the desires of the present and the future.