Conservation Framing?

Post examples...
Of framing styles or techniques that rocked your boat, and also of those that didn't
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Justintime
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Conservation Framing?

Post by Justintime »

A customer brought in a high value original piece. The framer's label states it's from Academy Framing at the Royal Academy of Arts (no longer in existence according to Google, Academy Framing not the RA!). The customer mentioned the name Terry Barnes as the Framer. I was excited to have the opportunity to open it up and inspect the workmanship. The work is dated 1988, so I guess that's a possible framing date.
I'm wary of being accused of naming and shaming and more interested in discussing the changes/improvements in materials and techniques over the years. Perhaps some framers with more years than me under their belts might have some opinions about framing in that era.
It came in because the work was no longer being contained by the mount, or as the customer put it " Terry must have cut the mount too big", but I can't believe it was always like this.
The backing tape was still doing its job, not too much bridging, some rust on the triangle points, as you'd expect. Below the backing the package was sandwiched with a self adhesive tape. I was surprised, as I thought that this was a relatively recent method. Not an easy job to undo obviously, but testament to the fact that it is an effective method for sealing the package. Having opened the mount I was disappointed to see self adhesive hinges onto a 500 mic undermount, probably rag board. My job is to simply add a rag board to the bottom of the mounts, decreasing the window size to contain the work again. It was obvious from the front that a 2000mic rag board had been placed under the linen wrapped mount, I was assuming to protect the work from being in contact with the wrapped mount.
I was then faced with this...
20230106_143746.jpg
From previous experiences, it seems to have been fairly standard practice to skimp on the undermount, often making the rag mount inclusion redundant. But brown self adhesive tape? Was this ever common practice on a valuable original piece?
Justin George GCF(APF)
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vintage frames
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Re: Conservation Framing?

Post by vintage frames »

I was aware of the firm Academy Framing from many years ago traipsing around the London galleries looking for work. I was always surprised that such an august body should have quite a bog standard chop'n join in-house framers.
Maybe it was for their more light hearted Summer Exhibitions.

That's not to say he wasn't an accomplished and professional framer. Perhaps self-adhesive tapes were seen as the new 'sliced bread' then before they started to blister and fail. Or maybe it was considered OK to use in that context, as a barrier.

But then I have to ask why it was considered appropriate to take all that care in mounting and then surround it with a cheap frame - (I havn't seen the frame but I can stand corrected if otherwise.)

Whilst you're there - you posted two jobs you did on Instagram. One a reclaimed carved oak frame, the other a Shou Sugi Ban working.
Stick them up on the forum. Both are magnificent and well worth sharing.
Affordable Gilding Course for Professional Framers-https://www.dermotmcardle.co.uk/
https://www.instagram.com/dermotmcardle/
Justintime
Posts: 1868
Joined: Sat 26 Sep, 2015 8:48 am
Location: West Wales
Organisation: George The Framer LLP
Interests: Gardening, design, electronic music, good food and beverages.
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Re: Conservation Framing?

Post by Justintime »

Just to add context, it has a very nice gilded frame.
20230106_164402.jpg
Thanks Dermot, I'll post them up soon.
Justin George GCF(APF)
Insta: georgetheframer
vintage frames
Posts: 1349
Joined: Tue 12 Jun, 2012 6:05 pm
Location: West Wales
Organisation: https://www.dermotmcardle.co.uk/
Interests: Making picture frames
Contact:

Re: Conservation Framing?

Post by vintage frames »

I'll take back what I said about the frame.
It's reassuring to see they've used a frame with some character.
I last noticed their frame-shop in 2004, and it was definitely a bit more run of the mill by then.
Affordable Gilding Course for Professional Framers-https://www.dermotmcardle.co.uk/
https://www.instagram.com/dermotmcardle/
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