Walnut Picture Frame
Reproduction of an antique Maratta Walnut Picture Frame. This 18th-century model is available in any size.
Properties of walnut picture frame
This walnut picture frame is made of ayous and tulipwood colored as if they were walnut. These woods are combined together to obtain maximum strength. We basically use ayous because it is inexpensive. Therefore if a customer asks for this model made in real walnut the price is going to change a lot. In fact, manufacturing just a single frame without following standards needs a huge amount of time to be invested.
Section width cm 8
Rabbet cm 1
Walnut picture frame finishing
The finishing of this rare type of walnut frame is in wood color. We use several hands of dark shellac to obtain this wonderful result. First, we apply a hand of a specific furniture oil over the molding. Second, we use a rug to dry it out all along the sides. After a while, we start applying dark shellac until we obtain the color of walnut. Of course, our priority is to make look the frame antique.
Patina (aging process)
“Patina” is an Italian word that refers to the tone of the final gilding of the frame. Making an astonishing Patina is one of the major skills of the gilder in order to make seem this reproduction picture frame an original one. In other words, it concerns the process of aging the gold finishing, trying to distress as much as possible the reproduction frame without exaggerating too much. To complete the procedure, gilders use some different kinds of stones to hit the frame, creating some fake tiny broken parts all around the sides. Besides, gilders create fake wormholes to age the gilding and you will be able to see them analyzing deeply the picture detail attached above.
Another important part of the patina is gently rubbing off the gold surface with steel wool, trying to make the typical antique abrasions that you see in antique picture frames. In conclusion, any damaged little part of the frame is just a part of a bigger plan.
See below a video showing all the steps of the Patina.
More videos related to the aging process
Explanation of the aging process
Distressing the gold surface
Rub off the gilding
Dark shellac
Applying shellac
Final result