Making a Large Corner Mould

Restored Display Case Frames

This pair of antique display case carved frames were in a bad condition, coming apart at all corners and in general poor condition. The glazing is very thick 8mm plate glass, which makes the frames very heavy and puts a lot of stress on the corner joints. They have been fitted with new piano hinges (as the previous hinges were very small), new velvet, and have been joined at the corners with large screws, before being restored.

Display Case Frame

A carved display case frame that needs to be repaired and restored. It is fitted with bevelled edge glass which is very thick and heavy, far too heavy for such a frame that is intended to be opened and on small, and rather inadequate hinges.

Early 19th C Frame

This early 19th Century Regency frame had numerous losses to the composition ornament, and was also very dirty.

Before and After

Here are some before and after photos of this fantastic swept frame, a really exceptional example of a late 19th Century Louis XV Rococo revival frame, probably French made. The frame was from my stock, although the restoration work was done by another restorer/framer as it needed doing quickly and I could not fit it in my current heavy workload. In the photos the restored frame looks very bright, this is more to do with the light when I took the photos, in reality the frame looks like it is in excellent original condition with natural wear and antique patina, although the gilding has cleaned up very well too.

20th Century Master Framemaker

Here is another example of a Robert Sielle frame, I posted about this framemaker some time ago here: Gesso Consolidation

This frame is typically bold and interesting in shape and design, a reverse profile with flat inner section and deep scoop outer. It's in need of some filling and tidying up around the edges. I think it's really good that the original frame is being kept with the painting it was made for, and not discarded for something else. I dread to think how many of Sielle's frames have been removed in favour of something more fashionable, which is a great shame.

People Keep on Damaging Frames

Double Swept Frame

A Louis XV style double swept style frame from the late 19th or early 20th Century, this just needed some museum glass fitting and a tidy-up.

Finished Vintage Frame Repair

A finished frame repair, some earlier photos can be seen in a previous post.

Corner Repair in Progress

Oval Mirror Repairs

This table standing oval mirror frame had a few areas of damage, which have been repaired.

Restored Watercolour Frame

This 19th Century watercolour frame has just been repaired and restored. It had numerous losses to the ornament, and had been overpainted, it had also been gilded a couple of times. It has been cut down to fit a smaller painting, the composition missing has been replaced, and it has been regilded.

Round Mirror Frame

This 18th/19th Century round mirror frame had many layers of later applied gilding and paint, here it is being stripped and a more original gold leaf finish will be restored. This is another frame for the Belmont project.

Oval Carved Frame

Another frame that is for a Georgian villa restoration project. The frame is carved, one of a pair, the top of the bow was missing so a new section has been carved. It will be finished to match the existing dark colour, a few other areas also need some repair work, there is a missing section at the bottom, and some splits in the timber. Splits are a common problem on oval and round antique frames as they are made from a number of different sections of wood to get the shape, these joints are under stress as the timber moves over the years so will eventually open up.

18th Century Carved Candle Holder

This 18th Century carved wood candle holder came in with the 18th C mirror frame posted yesterday, part of a large restoration project of a Georgian house. It has been over-painted and has a few sections missing, the condition is a little fragile so it will also need some securing. The later applied gold paint, which has tarnished over time and gone this horrible brown bronze colour, will be removed. 

18th Century Carved Mirror Frame

This very nice 18th Century mirror frame has come in for some repairs. It is carved and some missing sections of carving have been replaced by a student/apprentice carver. The frame has a water gilded finish which is in relatively good condition, I will gesso and gild the repairs, give some areas a light clean, and do some securing of some loose sections. It will eventually hang in a Georgian villa that is also being restored.

Matching Pair of Antique Frames

Antique paintings often come in pairs, although it can sometimes be a real challenge to find a matching pair of original antique frames that are a suitable size and style for a pair of paintings. Of course good reproduction frames can be made, but they are not the same as period frames. These two 19th Century Rococo revival swept frames are a perfect size and style for a pair of paintings that we have been searching for the right frames for. They clearly need a lot of work but it is unlikely another pair of the right size will come along for years.

Finish Stripping

This 19th Century has been cut down to fit a smaller painting It had been regilded in metal leaf at some point in the past, and did not look very nice, so now this poor finish is being stripped off. The frame will then be joined together and regilded with gold leaf.

Portrait revival frame

A 19th Century composition revival version of earlier carved 17th/18th Century Lely style frames, a good size and ideal framing a period Victorian portrait. Reasonable condition with original gilding and just requiring some minor restoration work.

Ultra shabby chic carved 18th C picture frame.

An 18th Century carved wood frame, like the previous post and one from a few days ago, it has been cut down in the past to fit a smaller painting. This one has not faired so well over the years! with flaking gesso/gilding, losses to the wood, and the joins are clearly visible. Despite the obvious poor condition, I think a frame like this is the ultimate shabby chic piece. The frame and its appearance really contains a story; it was originally skilfully hand carved and gilded, it has surrounded a number of paintings, it has been cut down in the past to fit a smaller painting, it has been through numerous owners, and all this history is reflected in its current condition and appearance. 

With a frame like this, with its heavily distressed and flaking surface, if the customers wish is to just hang it as it is, with or without a painting or mirror, it can be treated to stabilise and reduce the flaking surface. To do this I would treat the entire surface with consolidating adhesive such as traditional size glue, or even better use a conservation adhesive such as Paraloid B72 or Plextol B500. It will then be good for a many more years.