Suggestion Very Old Closed Corner Frames

Create a Post
PicturedFramer

PicturedFramer

MGF, Master Grumble Framer
Joined
Apr 23, 2008
Posts
762
Loc
Seattle
Aloha
A customer just brought in a pair of what seem to be very old closed corner frames made in Italy. I guessing the frames are made in Italy from the painting stamped "hand painted made in Italy". Anyway they want us to restore the frames from decades of neglect in her fathers woodshop basement. They have this green spotting and discoloring on them almost like oxidation. The rest of the frame is dusty and full of old dirt, in the crags and crevices. Has anyone delt with this type of restoration and what did you do to bring them back to a usable state? We are to take the old paintings out of them and put mirrors in them. Any ideas would help. Thanks in advance,
PicturedFramer
Aloha nui loa
 
Any chance of a pic?

A lot of framers spend hours trying to simulate this type of ageing effect on frames. :D If the customer really doesn't like this look then the best course would be to try and strip the finish back to the gesso and re-gild them. There are various ways of doing this, from water gilding with real gold leaf (skilled job and labor-intensive) to using bronze powders bound in a varnish (easier and quicker).
 
Wipe the entire frame down with a medium mixture of bleach to kill any molds.

You have to re-guild and tone the entire frame, you very rarely can match up old golds with new golds. Before you start, get some instruction on gold leafing if you do not know. Assuming you know, you have to prepare the frame for leafing the same way you would a new closed corner frame. If any pieces are missing, you can make molds of the existing good pieces and replace them.

The quality of a gold leaf frame is dependent on good preparation of the base.

You can order books on this subject from PPFA. It is well worth learning, people will become convinced you are a 'real' picture framer. Besides, its fun.

Taking shortcuts is usually a waste of time, and the effort is often rejected by the client.
It is better to use real gold/water gilding and achieve predictable results.

If you decide on the shortcuts, probably best to think real hard about using bleach.


John
 
Francisco, you might want to swing by the Phoenix and have them take a look at it. At least they would be able to tell you if it's worth the time, effort or $$ to do anything with it.

But I gotta go with Prospero on this, people pay me good money to abuse their frames... I've even been known to bury a frame for a few months in a compost pile.
 
You can match ANYTHING with suitable application of Acrylic paint,finish and wax.....Really! L.
 
I would do a bit more research before putting a whole bunch of effort into refinishing these frames. The presence of green spots may be indicative of oxidized copper, meaning that the frames were probably not originally finished in karat gold.

The other thing that is somewhat indicative of their age is the sticker. Usually when something says "Made in XXXX" it indicates that the piece was made specifically for the tourist trade or for export. Just because it was made in Italy and sat in a basement workshop doesn't necessarily make it old (vintage) or valuable enough to spend the money on restoration.

Finding out exactly what you have will help in the decision about what to do.
 
GAAAHHHHH!!!! STOP RIGHT NOW! Unless you KNOW that this is a run-of-the-mill, buy 'em every day at the Anty-cue shop frame, don't go stripping, bleaching and G-only-knows what else.

Talk to someone who can give you an INFORMED opinion of its value.

Remember: FIRST do no harm....
 
Could you post a picture and maybe some of the gilders on board can give an opinion? If the green spots are surface mold they need to be addressed, although like others here, I suspect corrosion of metal leaf is the issue. If they do contain "made in Italy" art it is 99% that these are items primarily of decorative value, but there is always that 1% to worry about.

Joseph
 
Before you do anything try giving the whole frame a good going over with a wax polish. You might be pleasantly suprised at the result. (Dunno about the customer...). If the green spots are corrosion, this should remove them, but you will probably end up with black spots instead. The wax should remove dirt from the high points and give back something of the of the original lustre. If the dirt is dark, wait for the solvent in the wax to evaporate (2-3hrs) and dust over with rottenstone. The give the whole thing another good buffing. This will lighten the whole effect and accentuate the ornaments.
 
Create a Post
Back
Top