The Framers Forum

It doesn't have to be exactly the same, but how was this made? The gilt bits were obviously gilt varnish, but is that burr walnut veneer, or what? I don't think the frame is particularly old. Thanks

It is (or rather was as I haven't got it any longer) a really handsome frame and I'd like to replicate it. Big frame too, nearly 40". Thanks.

It's quite hard to say what veneer that is, save for the fact that it has been stained and coloured to match walnut. I would use an English burr walnut veneer and soak it in water to soften it for an hour or so. Then bend and crack it along its lenght but being careful not to split it in two.
Lay the veneer wet using an iron on glue sheet and the heat of the iron should cause the veneer to shrink and emphasise the cracking.
The gilding shown is actually gold and is oil gilded.
Something to keep you busy for a while.

vintage frames wrote:Something to keep you busy for a while.

Maybe when I've done that I might have a better chance of telling the difference between gilt varnish and gilding...

Thanks. Just one not-obvious bit of your description: the veneered bit is a scoop so I'm wondering how to get the iron in - unless a soldering iron which would run rather hot, I think. And do you iron the glue to the veneer before soaking it?

This firm has some interesting veneers, even stone.
http://www.thewoodveneerhub.co.uk/

Ok, forget the iron. Take the same veneer and stick it to a backing sheet of plain kraft, brown paper using contact adhesive. Then wet that and crack it as described before.
When dry, stick that down on the frame using the contact glue. Wet the veneer again and shrink it using a heat gun.
Use a book of transfer gold for the gilding. It's so easy.
Buy your veneers from Capital Crispins https://www.capitalcrispin.com/. It's where grown-ups go.

Don't worry, I've got a weekend earmarked for some gilding soon. Just need - clearly - to get some transfer leaf; that's what you prefer for oil gilding?

Any favourite contact adhesive? This?

http://tinyurl.com/hswah67

Yes, that.
By the way, I should have said glue the veneer to a thin cotton or other fabric instead of the paper.

Jamesnkr I warn you now, gilding is highly addictive. For the last 12 months I've been dabbling in it, I've only let 2 frames leave the workshop. You'll need more than a weekend. So many possibilities, though will be easier if you've got something in mind to replicate. I always start with the aim of a perfect, mirror finish. In reality end up with distressed/worn.

Well said Louiseimon, all gilding should start off as in perfect a finish as possible. Then you've got something to work with and whatever distressing or toning you do won't harm too much the quality of the gold.

louisesimon wrote:You'll need more than a weekend.

Simon, I think one needs a lifetime... the weekend will be for having fun; mixing up potions and seeing what happens. I keep buying stuff... and it goes into a box for 'when I have a moment'.