Restoration
Often the years are not kind to the wonderful hand carved original frames from the past. Gordy Fine Art & Framing Company has the knowledge and experience to replace or repair missing ornaments, patch chips and significant surface loss, or even replace entire sections of an antique picture frame. Framemakers and restorers Brian and Ben Gordy are skilled at blending those repairs into the current surface coloration and patina to keep the integrity of the aging undisturbed. Or, if the finish is beyond the point of conservation, a complete refinishing with replicated aging may be applied after the repairs are accomplished. Gordy Fine Art & Framing Company provide frame restoration and conservation services for a number of art museums and collectors throughout the U.S.
The above is a photo documentation of the restoration of the Louis XV style frame for the Jean-Francois Raffaelli oil painting entitled Champs Elysees (permanent collection of the Ball State University Museum of Art). Outside dimension 46.5 in. x 39 in. x 6 in. face width. We replaced missing materials in corner ornaments and outer cove using free-hand techniques, which were then modeled and carved to match the existing ornament. The repaired ornaments were then cast to replace missing sections. These areas were then sanded, gessoed, boled, and water gilded with 23.75K gold. The gold was then toned to match the naturally aged patina of the original surfaces.
The above is a photo documentation of the restoration of the frame for the Alfred Weirusz-Kowalski oil painting entitled Arab Cavalry (permanent collection of the Ball State University Museum of Art). Outside dimension 56 in. x 43 in. x 7 in. face width. All detached surface areas (that were retrievable) were re-adhered and stabilized. We then repaired the most intact corner of the frame and cast it to replace and/or repair the other three corners and inner elements. These areas were then sanded, gessoed, primed, and oil gilded with 22K gold. The gold was then toned to match the naturally aged patina of the original surfaces.