Ultimate conservation for watercolours?

Hawickman

CGF II, Certified Grumble Framer Level 2
Joined
Mar 10, 2004
Posts
316
Loc
Hawick,Roxburghshire,Scotland
Having just recovered from a four day break at Easter,I have was printing out some light bedtime reading from the "Acid free" and "Moderate preservation" threads when I was reminded of the "ultimate conservation method for the framing of watercolours", circa 1860-1870!
On two separate occasions,from two separate sources,I was given the oportunity to remove and remount watercolour drawings by J.M.W.Turner.
In each case I was required to remove from the fancy carved and gilded swept (closed corner) frame the 3"-4" wide gilded inlay (like a flat slip but with a rebate) and replace this with an off white/ivory/cream mount,suitably decorated with ink lines and a colour wash. I say "suitably decorated" because,in fact,these "Traditional wash-lines" never actually occured at that time.
In the process of removal of the inlay I discovered, built into the top rail of the frame a beautifully fitted, silk roller blind. Originally the silk had been black but had faded over time to a dull,dark green.
Just imagine folks, after dinner at the Big House, being ushered into the Picture Gallery to witness THE UNVEILING OF THE TURNER. Ah....Happy days!
 
Here again, we see that our ancestors were more
wise than we might at first credit them with being. Framed works on paper and paintings were
often given covers or curtains (sometimes on
a rod with rings) so that they could be exposed
to light, only when they were being viewed. For
a small item, one might make a frame with a lite
of mirrored glass secured in front of the
real gazing with small pins, so that the mirror could be removed for viewing and kept in place at other times. This would also serve as a theft deterent.

Hugh
 
What a great idea for people with lots of sulight in the house. I see an opportunity for add on sales here.
 
NO NO NO NO NO.

This whole concept is going to give me night mares.

It would be alright if I thought customers would limit themselves to a tasteful black silk roller blind but I know the first person to whom I proposed this idea would want fabric to match the couch with rings and draw cord like a roman shade and maybe some beaded fringe.

And can you imagine K****** prints covered with lace-edged priscillas??

Oh wait, maybe that isn't such a bad idea.

Kit
 
I was going to say, Kit, until I finished your post. A shade over a K? Cool idea, fringed or not.


Piling on here? Hard to understand those pics. But I didn't understand paintings on velvet either.
 
Back
Top