Mounting a silk painting

[Randy Jordan]

A customer came in the shop right at closing time, he was carrying a broken frame, with broken glass, I'm sure everyone has seen this before. When I disassembled the picture I discovered that it was a silk painting. It's the first one I've ever seen, I don't think it's rare but it is very sheer, oh, when I got the broken glass out of the frame I noticed that the painting looked as though something had been laid on the image and tranfered to the silk, (see photos) then I moved the silk and realized the image was printed on the cardboard backing board, the art wasn't mounted to any thing, just held in place by pressure for the 1 ply mat, which was pretty dark on the edges around the image. Also showed acid stains on the bottom of the mat. My question is, how do I properly mount this to a substrate? Vivian's Mounting book suggested dry mounting, but I really don't think that's a good option, also considered encapsulation but wasn't sure if that would be the best option, so I decided (again) so ask all of you for your thoughts, I suspect anything over $20 for mounting, mat, Cons Clr glass, regluing frame together, and finishing, the customer will consider highway robbery. But, a customer is a rare comoddity these days. I will appreciate any input. Randy J.

 

[MaJa]

First thing that came to my mind is (and I am going to spell it wrong because I am on my phone) is tulle. Like a bride's vale.

 

[Puppyraiser]

I just finished four of these. I couched them to unbuffered rag board, but they didn't cost no $20 each! Double mats, including fabric top mat, and Roma frames. They looked FINE!

 

[Jim Miller]

... how do I properly mount this to a substrate?

I suggest a Direct Contact Overlay (DCO) using Crepeline (silk) or Stabiltex (polyester) fine mesh fabric over a rigid, padded, fabric-covered substrate.

I suspect anything over $20 for mounting, mat, Cons Clr glass, regluing frame together, and finishing, the customer will consider highway robbery.

Really? This may be an opportunity to see how good a salesman you are. Once properly informed, the customer will either buy what you offer, or not.

...But, a customer is a rare comoddity these days.

Sometimes customers buy what they want.
Sometimes customers buy what they need.
Sometimes people expect something for nothing, but they are not customers.

 

[MaJa]

What Jim said! That's what I was talking about.