This one-of-a-kind frame took fourteen hours to create. Watch it come together in less than one minute!
Since your web browser does not support JavaScript, here is a non-JavaScript version of the image slideshow: The frame's journey begins when our artisan picks up her assignment from the order wall. The moulding is chosen from our storage loft and lowered to the work area. Our artisan cuts the moulding to size. The ends of the moulding are mitered. A biscuit join is carved into the end of the moulding. The design is drawn on the moulding in pencil and hand carved. The carve design taking shape. Planing a swoop into the length of the moulding. Gluing the ends of the moulding. Inserting the biscuit. Good glue coverage for a stable join. Clamps hold the join secure while the glue dries. Screws reinforce the biscuit join. Spraying gesso. The gesso provides a sandable surface. Sanding the gesso. Yellow clay is the foundation of the finish. Black clay for highlighted areas of the design. Water gilding silver leaf to the clay. Delicate silver leaf is applied with a brush. Our artisan burnishes the silver leaf. Burnishing the silver brings out its shine. Rubthrough allows the clay color to show through the silver leaf. Applying a chemical tarnishing agent to the silver. The tarnished silver. Glazing the tarnished silver gives the color a rich patina. As a final touch the artisan applies black dust to the crevices of the frame. The finished frame! Corner detail showing the carve and tarnished silver finish.
The frame's journey begins when our artisan picks up her assignment from the order wall.
The moulding is chosen from our storage loft and lowered to the work area.
Our artisan cuts the moulding to size.
The ends of the moulding are mitered.
A biscuit join is carved into the end of the moulding.
The design is drawn on the moulding in pencil and hand carved.
The carve design taking shape.
Planing a swoop into the length of the moulding.
Gluing the ends of the moulding.
Inserting the biscuit.
Good glue coverage for a stable join.
Clamps hold the join secure while the glue dries.
Screws reinforce the biscuit join.
Spraying gesso.
The gesso provides a sandable surface.
Sanding the gesso.
Yellow clay is the foundation of the finish.
Black clay for highlighted areas of the design.
Water gilding silver leaf to the clay.
Delicate silver leaf is applied with a brush.
Our artisan burnishes the silver leaf.
Burnishing the silver brings out its shine.
Rubthrough allows the clay color to show through the silver leaf.
Applying a chemical tarnishing agent to the silver.
The tarnished silver.
Glazing the tarnished silver gives the color a rich patina.
As a final touch the artisan applies black dust to the crevices of the frame.
The finished frame!
Corner detail showing the carve and tarnished silver finish.
