W

Framing Terminology

Wash Line

A band or panel of colour - usually subtle, on a mount that is usually edged with lines of a slightly darker tone of the same colour.

Waterwhite Glass

(or Water White Glass). Glass with a low iron content with a considerably reduced green cast.

Wedge

1. V-shaped steel or hardened steel plate which is pushed into mitred mouldings, using an Underpinner (V-nailer), to give a strong join. Also known as a "V-nail."
2. Wedge-shaped piece inserted into stretcher bar joints to tension the canvas (may be either wooden or plastic).

Weetabix Moulding

(Also referred to as 'Snotwood') Moulding made from cheap wood that crumbles when cut.

Wet Mounting

The method of fixing the art work to a backing board using a PVA type glue or can be spray fixed.

Weighted Border

Making the bottom border of a mount deeper than the top and sides.

White-Core

Refers to the core colour of a mount board revealed by the window bevel. White Core boards are usually (but not always) acid-free.

Wreltney

1. A suggested alternative term for “fillet”. Controversy surrounding the correct pronunciation of this word, (fill•ît v. fil•lay), erupted into such a vitriolic debate that proponents of each variation challenged the mental acuity, ancestral lineage, and personal hygiene of the other. It was thought that the adoption of this alternative term would reduce the rancor and estrangement in the picture framing community. So far it has been largely unsuccessful.

2. A vague, placeholder noun referring to an object of unknown value, unknown physical description and unknown provenance. Once so described, the object ceases to be a wreltney. Often used in morality tales and fairy tales.