Framing chinese thin paper painting: style and technique?

Archipelago · Post by **Archipelago** » Thu 06 Jul, 2006 4:49 pm

I'd be grateful for any suggestions as to how to deal with a large (70cmx100cm) Chinese painting on thin translucent parchment paper. It is not at all flat and I am at a loss both stylistically and technically as to how to mount down, window mount and what kind of moulding to use to be in keeping. It is a traditional chinese landscape of recent make bought on the tourist trail. Any ideas? I'd be happy to lay off the work if any body is routinely doing these and would like the job! We are based in UK, South Yorkshire.

Post by **John** » Thu 06 Jul, 2006 6:43 pm

Welcome to the forum Archipelago.

Must you mount it down?

Very often this type of subject looks very well just left in its natural state.

Roboframer · Post by **Roboframer** » Thu 06 Jul, 2006 10:38 pm

Its value is probably less than a mass produced poster, but I still would not want to stick it down flat, I COULD and I could do it reversible - with artcare restore. Anyway, whether you do or not is up to you but the traditional window mount margins are TOP should be twice the width of the bottom, sides should be half the width of the bottom - for example 8" top, 4" bottom, 2" sides. Looks silly to us Brits so your customer won't go for it unless into Japanese culture in a big way, and that being the case will tell YOU how to mount it (This is how I know these dimensions - all to do with heaven and earth!)

I'd go for deeper at the bottom and top and sides equal - OR to look 'sort of' done-on-purpose-traditional - top and bottom wide, but equal, sides narrow - e.g. 4" T/B; 2 1/2" Sides.

Choice of mount colour depends on image of course, but some neutral black core mounts can look good with these things, so can mount slips.

Moulding? - AVOID bamboo! Too easy - maybe something lacquered.

markw · Post by **markw** » Thu 06 Jul, 2006 10:53 pm

As John says - does it have to be mounted. Always difficult making suggestions without seeing the piece - I would probably be looking at shadow box mount - fix work in a way that leaves it in its natural state - flattening behind a mount will only emphasise the uneven nature of the paper - the space on a box mount would allow for this and use the nature of the paper as an advantage. You could leave the piece floating within the mount - or cover edges with mount - that decision may be made by the method of attachment used.
please post when you finish - we all learn from these challenging jobs.

Archipelago · Post by **Archipelago** » Sat 08 Jul, 2006 1:04 pm

Thanks to all for these helpful comments, will post when completed.

Regards

Rupert