Frame advice needed...

I bought this beautiful old frame from a local 2nd hand store for AU$15. Not bad I think. I have a little experience restoring the detail on old frames so the damage is not an issue and I plan to frame a beautiful old 1940's landscape and keep it. However, my question is: Should I keep the old eye hooks and aged hanging twine on the back? Does the original add value, or should I use modern equivalents? I would welcome any comments or experiences. Thanks all.

 

Hi! Personally, I would make sure the eyelets are firmly tightened in Solid wood and then add some strong enough picture hanging wire, apropos to the weight of the frame!

 

I think the eyelets are neither here nor there. Keep them or lose them as is convenient. I would replace the string.

What Aquitaine said.

Neither effects the value of the frame.

 

Hi,
I always replacing the hanging stuff. Bought a wonderful old frame once and replaced the painting in it. Hung on the wall for two years and the rusted eye hook broke from rust and the frame was smashed. Thank goodness the painting did not tear. I learned a valuable lesson. I always get new hangings.
greg

 

Can you tell if the frame is gold leaf? The shiny part looks like it might be silver leaf with bronze powder. Be careful with cleaning. If it is gold leaf, do not use any water based products. You can ruin the surface and destroy the gesso and bole beneath the gold. Mineral spirits should remove surface dirt.

If it is bronze powder, you can use a soap like Vulpex. It isn't cheap but it works great. You can buy from conservation supply places. If you search Google, you might be able to find smaller bottles. Here is a link to a conservation site for information purposes.

http://www.talasonline.com/Vulpex-Soap

 

What everyone already said. I always replace the old string. If eye screws are very rusty, I will replace them. However, I photograph the back in the original, as found condition, just in case I want to sell a frame after I restore it to show the before and after condition.

 

Sorry for the loss of your frame, but sensible, practical advice. Thanks.

 

HI MCT, I am not expert enough to really tell the difference, so I tested in the corner of the inner frame (not photographed). We call it methylated spirits (which I think is the same as your mineral spirits) without much success but no damage to the gilt. In the other corner I tried a very mild soap which worked well and with no damage to the gilt. I suspect the frame is not gold leaf, but you could be right about the bronze/gold powder as I see a silvery surface where some parts of the inner frame have worn away. The Vulpex seems amazing. I'll check stores here or order online. Thanks so much for the fantastic advice. I'm now really excited about the project.

 

Great advice as well. Thanks.

 

The water won't damage the gold for some time, however, it will start damaging the what's under the gold. The gesso base and the red or yellow clay bole under the gold are made with rabbit skin glue. The glue is an organic protein and will reconstitute with water, meaning it will soften and crack. If you post some close up photographs of the damaged areas it might show what's under the gold. Some close up photographs of the edge of the frame from the back may also give up some clues.

If the very shiny area has some spots on it, it's a sign that it is silver leaf covered with bronze powdered paint. The spots are tarnish from the silver.