Here is a simple guide to help you re -frame your antique or vintage paintings ( mainly OIL paintings or acrylic ...though you can still acquire the correct frame for your framer to frame your watercolors or prints ), into ORIGINAL old frames , compared to going to a framer and having them re- frame in  a new , fake simulated wood frame. I sell antique and vintage paintings and prints and frames , and I know firsthand that only original old frames make your old artwork look authentic and genuine. Antique frames will NOT be perfect, so please remember that as the small nicks, bumps, broken GESSO ,(  decorative plaster on the surround of the wood frame ), and even the passing of time creates a patina which aids your old artwork into looking beautiful in an old frame.The small flaws can be excused as most of the antique and vintage frames are 50-100 + years old.

Grouping of ANTIQUE & VINTAGE Picture Frames

The first tip to remember is that most antique and vintage artwork looks best in the time period frame when it was painted. So a Victorian landscape or Old floral painting will look best in a mid to late 1800's wood and gesso gold frame. Frames 100+ years old were typically more decorative and ' Fancy ' than later years.

Antique Victorian oil painting in Original Gesso & gilt Frame late 1800's


An Art Deco painting or print will look best in a 1920-40's style angular frame. Many old Deco frames had layers of molding with angles and modular features and many had blues and greens and gold polychrome paint on the outside.  This time period frame did not usually have GESSO ( plaster ), on the wood . Some of the fancier frames did, but they were still not as elaborate as old Victorian and Turn-of-the-Century frames . They were more simple frames than the Victorian time period.


Vintage ART DECO thin Angular wood frames w/ ART Deco ATKINSON FOX 1920's prints


MODERN or Contemporary Paintings , from the late 1940's through the 1960's ( and even some into the 1970's ) had very simple wood, typically OAK frames. They were thicker from the 1940's and 50's and then got smaller into the 1960-70's. Many of them from the 1950's had a white-wash finish over the OAK frame.


Simple Wood OAK Frames 1940-50's time frame

Manufacturers from the 1970's on started making synthetic fake or faux wood frames in standard sizes. They made and still make frames in 12 x 10 or 24 x 20 , or the basic more common sizes to re frame any art or photograph you may have. The problem with these is that they typically look fake, and the gold is not usually the gold of the old original frames..and they of course have no flaws...so I personally do not believe they help your old paintings look as wonderful as they can look in actual antique frames.

HOW TO FIND THE CORRECT ANTIQUE FRAME ONLINE ?

Here are some simple, basic steps to help you in your search for an old frame for your painting or artwork.

First MEASURE your canvas on it's stretcher ( the wood frame that it is nailed or stapled to ), or your board painting.




Once you have the measurements go online to SEARCH on Ebay or Google and type in 12 x 10 ins. frame, or 12 x 10 ins. picture frame, you can be more descriptive and type in Victorian, etc. with the measurements . Always search, then go to the little box below the Search and CHECK descriptions and title, and that will pick up the 12 x 10 in a description for a frame as well as from the title. Usually dealers put these in under the ANTIQUES category, but they may be under collectible. Also be AWARE that not all sellers have the proper time frame for a frame, they may have Victorian for an Art Deco frame. Educate yourself by looking at various artwork online or in museums or antique shows to be able to discern the difference.

Once you find the frame, measure again the innermost lip molding from the BACK, NOT the front of a frame. Also make sure you measure the innermost, not simply the TOP of the ridge of the back of the frame opening, there can be a difference in the measurements. This mainly makes a difference if you want the entire painting , except tiny portions on the sides,to show as sometimes the lip is 1/2 ins. wide which will cover up too much of the art. Typically they are just wide enough to secure the art in the frame. So when I measure all the way to the inner molding it gives me the perfect measurement. also a difference with frames that have multiple layers of molding . For frames with less moldings, like simple wood frames, not  frames with wide moldings and depth as ornate frames can be, it is an easier task.


Measuring INNERMOST molding lip of FRAME


DO NOT just measure from TOP of the back opening, measure INSIDE the bottom, this picture depicts the WRONG way to measure

Once you have the correct measurements of either a favorite frame or a antique painting, then you can go online, or in a store ,( always carry the size you need on a piece of paper in your wallet , believe me you will forget it ), then you can check periodically online and see if a frame or painting will work. I have also bought online an old frame for a Vintage or antique-style painting ,( made to look old), and then put the art in a old frame...and they look fabulous. You can also find the really ODD size antique frames on line , as most frames today are standard sizes. Just write down the frame size you need, leave it near your computer and you can check every now and then...and pretty soon it will pop up. Persistence pays off in most things in life, and definitely in hunting old antique frames for your artwork.


New 2006 painting in Original ANTIQUE frame
You can do this with any painting !

You can attach your paintings yourself with small nails, if they are on a wood stretcher or go to Micheal's or Hobby Lobby, Lowes and find metal brackets or holders to hold and secure your art into the rabbet, ( the inner ledge measurement that is measured UP, the thickness for either canvas w/ stretcher or thinner board painting ). Then you will need to add some eye hooks and some sturdy heavy gauge wire on the back to hold your art. Of course, for a completely professional job you can take your art and frame to your trusty framer and they can do this as well. Sometimes thin old board paintings may need to be taken to framer for a paper backing. In any case, I wish you great luck on your antique frame hunt, and have full confidence you will be able to re-frame your antique or vintage artwork yourself with these simple guidelines.

My best to you,
Gina

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