How to mount ox skin art?

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K

KwajPrints

Grumbler
Joined
Jul 27, 2004
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30
Loc
Kwajalein, Marshall Islands
A customer brought a piece which he said was made from carved ox skin from Thailand. It's about 12"x18" and about 1/16" thick. Somewhat stiff leather that tended to retain its shape as he unrolled it. It's carved out to a lacework doilly type thing with some paint and gilding on the surface.

Any suggesting on how best to mount this for framing? I'm not sure how much it will relax and lay flat (it's been rolled for a few months). It's also fairly heavy (compared to the art on paper I usually deal with. So, I'm thinking I need to attach it with something rather strong. Perhaps sew it to a fabric covered backer?

Appreciate your suggestions.

Steve
 
Steve,
I found one LINK on MSN earch. Site appears to have a lot of info. Don't know about mounting, though
 
The usual recommendation is to sew using a thread of the same fiber as the piece. This may be a problem for you.

I think you would be safe substituting cotton thread the same color as the skin. You should be able to find some in a quilting supplies shop.

Kit
 
Steve, for being in a fairly remote corner of the world, you do manage your fair share of challenging projects. How did the giant photo work out?
If the piece can be rolled out flat without cracking any of the pigments, I would put it in a rigid folder and let the pressure from that work on flattening it out for a while before framing. The suggestion to sew it to a fabric support sounds good.
 
Wally, he's sitting on the cusp of where the most challenging object d'arte come from. I would think that in a year, Steve gets more experience of the "unusual" then stateside framers get in a lifetime.

Steve, You didn't relay that it stank to high heaven, so I'm assuming that it wasn't urine tanned. (They NEVER stop stinking).

I think Wally is on the right track by flattening first. If it is what I think it is, there is no paint to worry about so a slight reverse form is not out of hand. Then in about a week or two, stitching with cotton thread down to linen backer should work fine. Silk would be nice also for a contrast of textures.
 
Thanks for all the replies. No particular surprises. I'll flatten for a week or two and then stitch it down. I'll let you know how it turns out.

The large print project is still in work. Believe it or not I'm still waiting on the necessary supplies (oversize rag mat, oversize UV plexi, etc.). I ordered them in September when I posted that question and have high hopes that they'll arrive on the next supply barge on November 17th. It's a Christmas present so I should be in good shape.

Thanks,
Steve
 
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