FRAME RESTORATION
In 2007 and 2008 our proprietor, Jodie Prymke CGF, travelled to Bologna and Florence in Italy, where she studied gilding, frame restoration and traditional framing techniques at the artisan studio “Laboratorio Scuola Oro e Colore” owned and run by C & S Martelli, Master Gilders to the Uffizi Gallery in Florence.
Using traditional Italian restoration techniques, we sympathetically repair and restore antique picture frames. When restored, our frames still look old, but undamaged. Here are a few before, during and after photos.
The completed frame restoration
After toning, the completed corner ornament
Gold leaf applied
Red bole undercoat
New corner ornament
The new corner ornament
After frame restoration. This beautiful B.E. Minns watercolour painting is framed in a 23k gold leaf water gilded frame. While the base of the frame is matte gold, the ornaments have highlights of highly polished gold. This can only be achieved by water gilding.
The finished water gilded, toned and polished ornament.
23k gold leaf
Two layers of bole, ready for water gilding
The new ornament
The missing ornament.
Water stained silk covered slip frame and backing board.
New silk covered slip frame and backing board.
New corner, after toning
The finished frame.
This antique frame was water damaged in the NSW floods.
The gesso and ornamentation had completely dissolved.
Reconstruction of the frame
After frame restoration.
Before restoration.
Part of the West Wimmera Shire Collection we restored. Before restoration.
The completed frame restoration.
This heavy antique mirror frame fell off the wall after a storm.
The finished frame.
After the first toning of the ornaments.
New corner ornaments with gold leaf applied.
Completed frames
After frame restoration
Before frame restoration
After frame restoration
Before frame restoration
After frame restoration
Before frame restoration
The finished frame.
The broken corner ornament
Colour matched corner
The first cast of the corner
The completed frame restoration
Before frame restoration
Before frame restoration
First cast
The mould for the inner floral panel
The completed frame restoration
The completed frame restoration
After frame restoration
After frame restoration
Before frame restoration
Before frame restoration