The Framers Forum

Hello there,

I have a project to mount a corn dolly in a glazed frame. The client would like a simple box mount, with the sidewalls the same colour as the background and no shadow mount inside the glazing.

However, there is the strong likelihood that some of the wheat grains will fall out of the heads at some point (there were a few free grains in the bag the dolly arrived in).

Does anyone know if a corn dolly can be stabilised successfully? e.g. matt spray varnish?

Else, should I try and persuade the client that a shadow mount would at least hide any grains that do fall out?

Suggestions very welcome!

You could put an escape hole in one corner, or try pastel fixative.

Well I think it is inevitable given the nature of the beast, its what seeds are designed to do, break off when they dry. I would have made it clear to the client at the offset that this is what is likely to happen than try and find a fix once you have agreed with the client how you are going to frame it.

what a bout lining it with a cove box but not attach it to the back so there is a 5mm gap at the back were anything that drops off can fall behind.

There's not many corn dollies around in Devon, but you do come across quite a lot of them across the border in Cornwall. From time to time customers bring them back from Cornwall, so you do see them, but not often.

It's not just the seeds that fall off, but the stalks disintegrate as well. Sorry to disappoint you, but these things just don't last for a particularly long time and there's not a lot you can do about that. The seeds are meant to fall off to grow into next years crop and that's just what they will do.

Not only that, but small insects will try very hard to get inside you frame to eat you corn dolly and lay their eggs on it as well, so you do need to consider how best to seal the frame to stop this.

You could try a few coats of hair spray.

I probably won't last forever and it will change the appearance somewhat, but if it's going
to disintegrate anyway WTH.

Why not make a Slider or slip over frame.This is a box made from thin timber or fillet, with an outer frame (cover) that slips over the front of the box.This can then be taken off to remove any debris...

Many thanks all - much appreciated!

233ART wrote:Why not make a Slider or slip over frame.

Probably the best possible idea!