Frame Restoration

Sometimes a frame can be as important as the painting it belongs to. Taking care of a frame is similar to maintaining a painting. As a frame ages, it will often experience structural deterioration due to environmental changes and mishandling. Separation between the ground layer and the wood substrate can lead to loosening of ornamental pieces, which can then be easily knocked off as the frame is handled or cleaned. Other times damage occurs by accident when the frame falls from a wall or is dropped.

The frame featured in this post belongs to a cherished family portrait. The damage to its unique oval shape and ornate relief made it a great candidate for restoration. It is not unusual for a frame to enter the lab needing portions of the ornament replaced. What made this project stand out was not only the missing ornament, but large portions of the wooden substrate were also broken off and missing. Before we could start replacing the ornament, the substrate would have to be replaced.

The frame was first consolidated using an adhesive designed to saturate wood and the gesso ground. Any areas of insecurity were sealed and reattached before the process of replacing the ornament began. A template was then made from the opposite corner to recreate the shape of the missing substrate. After adding armature wire to various points of connection, the process of shaping the substrate out of an epoxy putty was completed. After a solid base was formed, multiple molds were made of the existing ornament on the opposite corner. These pieces were attached and seamlessly blended into the existing design.

Once the structure was complete, the restored areas were coated with gesso and bole, gilded with 23k gold leaf, and then toned to match the existing patina of the frame.