The Framers Forum

Looking for some ideas for this framing job. A local museum would like to display it framed and glazed.
Details as follows:
Approx 30cms x 45cms
Painted hardwood weighing approx 3kgs.
Nothing about it is regular, it's not square, it's bowed and the height/thickness of wood is irregular.
We'd prefer not to window mount it, but to show it in it's entirety.
It shows evidence of previous fixing holes, but no current fixings.

On similar we've always created a bed using plastazote which is commonly used by museums and collections. You can create a cradle for it to sit into which will fully support the irregular nature of the shape. You can either extend that to create spacing from the glazing, or add additional spacers fixed to the sides of the frame.

https://www.preservationequipment.com/c ... plastazote

One normal method to mound 3-D objects in a museum are to use custom bent wire "fingers" that will not damage the art. These bent wires can be coated with electrical shrink wrap tubing that come in several colors or can be painted to camouflage them against the art and act as cushions. They are secured from behind with hardware fasteners to whatever backing board of your choice.

Thanks so much Jo, "every day is a school day"!

Thanks Jerome.

I would have the icon floating in a dark void, ie raised above a black background and recessed below the surface plane of the frame.
I did something like that with the little oil panel below where the dealer wanted to show the worn edges of the oak panel.
For your icon, I would have sunk the icon deeper within the frame and allow for glazing if needed.


For a frame - well you know what I'm going to say..
A black ebonised frame about 45mm in width and something in the style of A120 from R&H, but that ones a bit lumpy and vulgar.
If you want you can come here and make one yourself.
I'll just charge you for the timber but you do all the work.
Mind you, that would be a fair bit of travelling back and forward, but the offer is there if you want it.

Thanks Dermot, the offer is much appreciated. On this occasion, sadly, they have a "house style" which is a simple hand painted tulip frame like an A45. Although now that I have a technical plan, I may well look at talking them into something more interesting.

Are you able to recreate these?
They look simple enough, but I don't know if they can be sourced, or are a product you can purchase.

I saw them in London at the 12th-century exhibit last year, and was so taken by the presentation, I photographed them not for the artwork, but the "frame".

If anyone here knows if these are a framing supply, I would really love to get some.

If you are talking about the stands/holders, they look like something that has been 3D printed specifically for those frames.

I hadn't thought about 3D printing.
Could be. They were painted, so could very well have been. But it was a very effective way of displaying as you could see all the way around.

I would think that they were made from flat bar stock steel that has been braised together and then painted. I would not think a 3-D printed version would be strong enough as there are no structural ribs.

If they are bespoke made from metal, I wouldn't be able to make them myself. Despite the simple look.
Ah well, another grand framing plan that is beyond me.

I’d use formed rods but possibly a shelf with formed rods on the other three sides. I’d also look at using existing holes as well as formed rods.

Gillthepainter wrote: Tue 24 Feb, 2026 4:11 pm Are you able to recreate these?
They look simple enough, but I don't know if they can be sourced, or are a product you can purchase.

You get a load of dodgy click bait if you click on your photo, why not just upload it direct to the forum?

Thanks for all of the input. The votes are in, I'm going with the plastazote, as the minimally invasive option and the chance to try out something new.

Please take some photos of the process and finished product very interesting,
Good luck

Yes I'll try and remember to!

(sorry about that. postimage is an average hosting site for forums, I've not seen that before)

I've deleted the image from the source site.

@Tudor Rose do you use a thermocutter for cutting irregular shapes in plastazote? If so any recommends or tips on cutting?