The Framers Forum

Hi All,

Any suggestions on how to frame egyptian prints on papyrus?

The client want 2 different sizes to look the same so we have decided to put them behind a mount.

Is it just a case of t-hinging the papyrus or is there some better way?

Open to suggestions.

Ash

cut a slot through the back mount about 1cm below the top of the artwork and thread your tape through and support with 't's as well.

If you are going to cover up the edges then hinge them the same as any print. If you aren't using feathered Japanese paper hinges/paste then be careful not to let the hinges intrude beyond the mount window. They can show though the open weave.

the classic way to mount these is to float them with the edges showing. They never lay flat. This isn't a problem so much when floated as the wavy appearance is part of what they are. With a mount around there are likely to be gaps along the window edges. Might be an idea to warn the customer that this will happen. You can drymount them to get them flat, but the tissue can show shiny spots though the weave.

Assuming they have been rolled & if you don't want to drymount them - they can still be "hot pressed" - between two pieces of card or blotting paper to take out the curl....

I tell customers the reason they won't lay flat is that when they made the papyrus they layed them out on the banks of the Nile to dry and the papyrus took on the shape of the sand

Thank you for all your suggestions and advice, i managed to pull it off and the customer was very happy with the result.

New problem
New customer wants a thick papyrus / almost very thin looking wood to be mounted in such a way as not to obscure the ragged edge of the artwork, i have never used wheat starch paste or paper hinges but is this the way to go? can you mix the paste and basically may your own conservation double sided tape so it sticks in the middle of the back mount to look like its floating?

Any help / advise much appreciated.

Ash

log onto Lion Picture framing website.
Access the Info store and look for 'float mounting heavy paper'
You may find this helpful
Regards