How would you frame this?

[ArtistMakesFrames]

A good customer of mine dropped this off in a rush yesterday morning and said they’ll come back next week to talk about framing. He didn’t like the original frame as seen at the top of one of the pictures as it felt too overpowering for the painting. The painting itself really is tiny, 9cm wide by 7 cm high.

I thought it might be a fun exercise to see what people’s thoughts are on framing ? There are two stacked inner gold fillet/slips that can be removed to take it right back to just the painting.

Love to hear your thoughts !

[JFeig]

I think that part of the problem is that the old frame could use a good cleaning. That is one of the dirtiest frames that I have seen. It goes far beyond being "just patina".

[vintage frames]

I can see why your customer wanted something done about the outer frame.
It is way too heavy looking and in its present condition, swamps the tiny picture - which could also do with a bit of a clean.
No matter...

The photo you show of it just inside the two slips, is a much better solution.
I would keep it in that section and all it needs is to have a thin outer wall added. This should be gilded and toned to match the existing finish.
The brightness of the gilding on the slip illustrates how it can illuminate the painting.

This is an antique painting and as such should have an antique frame to remain harmonious.
A useful analogy is to think of a slightly dilapidated Georgian building.
Would it be improved by replacing the worn wooden windows with fresh new PVC replacements?
Or a nice clean render over the cut stone.

If it comes to it, I could make you a surround frame for about £150.

[JKX]

The painting needs a good clean too!

I think the frame, especially if restored, suits it well, but if the customer doesn’t like it that’s that!
I wouldn’t go any smaller though, and I’d keep it distressed.

I’d suggest (optically coated) glass so if it’s restored it will never need to be again and if not it’ll get no worse.

If the customer wants a thin frame then I’d suggest mounting it like a watercolour to keep the overall size similar.

[prospero]

Small artworks generally need quite wide frames in proportion or they tend to resemble light switches on the wall (if they aren't in a group).
But big heavy frames can overpower the art and give the impression that you are looking through a hole in the wall.
If you used a liner or a wide panel inside a wide frame it would present to piece in a better perspective as this would give more visual
'breathing space'.