Framing an MBE

[Twin Peaks]

I have been given the task of framing none other than an MBE certificate complete with signatures of HM Queen and Philip. The recipient has given me the option of how to frame it with the only stipulation of a 3D frame, by which she means more than one mount. Before applying my mind of what choice of frame and mount, I thought that I would ask the members if anyone had done one themselves and what worked best for them.

[prospero]

Done a few of these. The last one I remember used a dark red mount with gold lines and a 3/4" gilded panel withsome suitably dignified gold frame.

[Jonny2morsos]

Think quality and offer the customer the very best you can e.g. museum mount board, museum/mirogard glass etc.

The award has been given for a lifetime of service in whatever field they have achieved recognition for and your frame should reflect this.

They will have already spent a fair bit of cash going to the palace, new suit/dress etc. and if they are buying the video of their investiture then they will be spending in the region of £150 for that. If the customer baulks at the price you can always suggest a lower specification.

john.

[Not your average framer]

Something like this in years to come will be a much treasured item of family history and IMHO should be framed in something classy which will still look classy a long way into the future. We are talikng expensive here, but have a look at Arqadia 360 530 000 and 361 530 000, (I haven't got the catalogue to hand but I'm reasonably sure I've got the numbers right), these are seriously nice burr walnut veneered moulding with a nice bit of shape the the front face. They don't have gold sight edges, so you don't have to think about what the gold will look like in 100+ years time.

As for mounts, I would go for one double thickness cotton rag with perhaps one or two other mounts in standard thickness cotton rag. No mount decoration, but very generously proportioned mounts. If one mount is to add a touch of colour, then keep the reveal thin and subtile.

I think double thickness cotton rag always looks fabulous. I normally cut other mount boards with a side sided blade, but for thick cotton rag I always go back to the good old fashiond double sided blades to prevent scuffing the bevel as the blade comes out.

[Jonny2morsos]

Totally agree with you on these mouldings and plenty of rebate depth to accomodate all the layers.

Would make a really classy looking job.

John.

[Nigel Nobody]

I think double thickness cotton rag always looks fabulous.

Yep, sure does! 8 ply looks even more fabulous!!! Double 8 ply looks even fabulouser than that!!!

[Twin Peaks]

NYAF- I took your advice and ordered some 360 530 000 having looked at it in the catalogue and agreed with your suggestion. However, when it arrived, the lengths are divided up into distinct 16cm panels, some of which do not even match the one next to it. I would now like to know if anyone has any other suggestions while I survey the catalogues.

[Not your average framer]

when it arrived, the lengths are divided up into distinct 16cm panels, some of which do not even match the one next to it.

That's normal with veneered mouldings. I guess you may not be used to seeing things framed in veneered mouldings, but this is how they look. Don't worry about it! It's the classiest burr walnut veneered moulding you can get. I've got other burr walnut veneered mouldings in stock from other suppliers, but this one is in a class of it's own.

Ask others who use these mouldings to comment, if you're not sure. Mouldings don't come any more classy than this!

[Roboframer]

True!

It's what tells you - bar the nice feel - it's a real veneer. Identical repeated patterns = faux - on veneers like elm and walnut that is. Some veneers like oak and bamboo are done in much longer strips - even the whole length of a moulding,

Then again you can get table tops veneered in walnut that are done in great huge panels so I'm not quite sure why veneered mouldings have such short ones??

(Bet you Mark NYAF does though)

[Twin Peaks]

I don't doubt that it is good quality, it cost enough!! However, my customer would no doubt ask why it was not even the same colour all the way round. The moulding that I received is best described as more like a 'patchwork quilt' effect. Will keep looking.

[Not your average framer]

(Bet you Mark NYAF does though)

Over the years, the cost of veneers has steadily become more expensive, so that the good quality larger pieces are very expensive indeed. Even years ago it was not all that common to see large sections of veneer on frame mouldings unless you found a frame from one hundred and fifty plus years ago. It's a cost thing!

For those who are interested, check out the Vale Veneers website: http://www.valeveneers.co.uk

[Not your average framer]

my customer would no doubt ask why it was not even the same colour all the way round.... Will keep looking.

Your customer might like it more than you think, however if you really want the veneer sections to match more closely, here's a little more info:

On expensive furniture, Rolls Royce interiors, etc., the veneers will match almost exactly because consecutive sheets of veneer will be cut together to make a perfect job. This is quite time consuming and therefore expensive.

On the other hand frame mouldings will use batched veneer pieces which could still be matched, but we all know that's not how it's gonna be. It just takes too long.

There still is yet another choice, do you stain the finished moulding with a strong dark stain to get a more uniform result and lose that fabulous "lit from within" depth effect, or have the finished moulding more lightly stained and retain more of the natural beauty of the wood?

If you check out the other burr walnut mouldings in the Arqadia and Simons catalogues, you will find plenty of darker stain ones, which will be quite a bit cheaper too! As always you get what you pay for and if you compare the one you already have, with one of the darker stained ones, you will soon understand why the one you've bought is worth the extra.

BTW, Arqadia have a good returns policy, if you are really unhappy with what you've got and will probably do something about taking it back, but if there's nothing wrong with it, they may need to make some sort of charge for doing so.

[Twin Peaks]

NYAF- I fully understand where you are coming from and totally accept the explanation, but it is more difficult for the 'general public' to understand that. At the end of the day, they don't want a picture on the wall where people are going to make comments about the 'jigsaw frame' rather than the actual subject matter.
Thanks again, Ian

[Not your average framer]

Hi Ian,

I'm sorry that you were disappointed with my earlier suggestion. Normally the fact that you can see the veneer joints is considered as proof that it's the real thing, but if your not happy then fair enough.

I think that it would still look very nice in one of the darker stained burr walnuts, especially if it's a large and classy profile. Burr walnut is always associated with fine furniture and Rolls Royce interiors. Everyone knows that it means that it's something special.

I hope you will get the result you are looking for.

[Roboframer]

I don't doubt that it is good quality, it cost enough!! .

What are you going to do with the moulding?

If you really are not happy - Arqadia will want to make you so - I'd be interested to know how they'd sort this - collect the moulding, offer a discount or just write it off.

[Twin Peaks]

I am in contact with Arqadia and hope to achieve a refund or at least an exchange for something different. Ian