MÖBIUS: art conservation | home
About Us | Location | Contact Us | Services | Painting Treatments | Object Treatments | Frame Treatments | References | Associations | News and Events | Links
Frame Treatments
Many times old frames have been painted over with gold paint
which eventually turns brown as it oxidizes creating a very unattractive
and flat finish. In this case, we removed the gold paint, applied a red bole
undercoating, and then gold metal leafing with a suitable patina after
adding attractive corner ornaments and a filet on the inside of the frame.
This project required the removal of surface dirt and discolored gold paint on
an oversized and elaborate frame. The middle panel shows repairs made to a
broken miter at the corner. Finally, a conservation assistant is applying metal
leaf into all the small crevices and ornaments of the frame. The 19th century
frame (and its painting) hang in the Santa Cruz Public Library.
A detail of the finished 19th century frame.