Advice on restoring antique mirror frame

I'm not much of a DIYer, but I'd like to try my hand at restoring the leaf and flower accents around this old mirror so I can hang it in a bedroom. I think I need some kind of clay or resin that I can mold around the wire, wait for it to harden, then paint. Any advice - or info on this style of mirror - would be much appreciated. Thanks! Janice

 

The floral accents should be made of gesso. Which would later be gilded. If the mirror has any financial value, you might be happier with a professional restoration.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gesso

Debora

 

Thank you! I'll see if I can find gesso for sale online. I've no idea of the value of the mirror - junk shop find - and there are no professional restorers in my area, unfortunately.

 

Why don't you post a photograph of the entire mirror, from both front and back? Someone is sure to weigh in on whether it's worthy professional restoration.

Debora

 

Very pretty mirror. I learned LONG ago that I have zero skills at restoring anything,so Im always impressed when folks can.

 

Cautionary tale.

Debora

 

I have a plaster (?) Jesus on cross statue that I found garbage collecting - he had shattered arms exposing the wires, and I easily built them up with drywall compound that I let each layer dry thoroughly before adding the next. Easy to cut and sand , once airbrushed it was perfect. Just saying if it will be for your own personal possession.

 

Great idea - thank you! I see a trip to the hardware store in my future!

 

Bird shit - No bird shit????? LOL!

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecce_Homo_(García_Martínez_and_Giménez)

Debora

 

I think that might have been posted back around 2016 or '17 when I first joined here! Sad what some 'idiot' did, huh???!!!

 

Takes a certain type of hubris...

Debora

 

Gesso is like a chunky paint and is the primer for canvas, wood, frames, etc. between the substrate and the painting/gilding layer. You can't mold with it.

This was probably done with plaster, which is moldable, air dries, and can be carved or sanded. You can then paint with gesso (as plaster is very absorbent) before painting or gilding. It is extremely messy though, so definitely lay down a tarp in the work area and take it outside with a mask for any sanding. You can pick plaster of paris up at a craft, art or hardware store.

Professional framers use "compo" of which there are different recipes available online and it requires heat for forming. See this video at 2:34 for that in action.

A further pro option is Modostuc which can adhere to various surfaces and can be painted or tinted.

Most paints aren't going to match a gilding. Rub-n-buff is used in modern framing, but is oil based so it may look different. True gilding is expensive and takes more effort and time.

There's also the option where you just hang it as is, because you like the look, and because it looks it's age and just has "history."

 

In my house we call him "potato Jesus" and I still want to have a small print of him, in a lovely gold frame, in a dark hallway somewhere to scare the guests.

 

Unfortunately there are many people like her. But not every one of them gets their mits on a delicate fresco.