Projects
Site work – Frame conservation and modifications for re-glazing with Optium acrylic
Site work at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery to structurally repair a large carved and gilded picture frame, modify the frame to allow for Optium acrylic glazing and to prepare for display.
The frame measures approximately 4.2m x 3m and was conserved in the gallery space. The original plate glass had been removed and non-reflect Optium acrylic glazing was to be fitted. As Perspex can flex, the existing gilded spacers required modification to increase their depth to the required amount. Due to this, the back of the frame required ‘building out’.
Structurally, the frame lap joints required consolidation. To the front of the frame, carving losses and shrinkage gaps to the carved mouldings and sight edge were in-filled with wood and were in-carved.
Areas of discoloured bronze paint and dark brown acrylic paint retouching were removed.
The lifting gesso was consolidated and losses were retouched, so as to be less noticeable.
