Empire Picture Frame

Reproduction of a French Empire Picture Frame gilt on wood. This early 19th century model is available for any particular painting size so that you can frame with it any painting.

Properties

This Empire Frame is made in ayous and tulipwood perfectly combined together to obtain maximum strength.  It is completely customizable in order to meet any client’s desire. For instance, you can change color and shape.

Section width cm 10
Rabbet cm 1

Empire Picture Frames Decorations

The carving of this frame is handmade and you can watch a video of the procedure following this link to our Youtube Channel. https://youtu.be/fTQHIH9dRC8 | You can change the finishing of the central surface by using any color. Therefore you can specify your favorite color by mailing us a photo. You can watch a related video showing the lacquering process by clicking the link: https://youtu.be/eBc9EYy4HHU

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