At Master Framers, we have the ability to mill our own mouldings and create our own very custom frames to order. While we have over 300 different profile knives (shapes) to choose from, we often design new knives to use, based on drawings our customers bring to us, or from historical frames we have seen. This variety is what allows us to create special frames for your art. Our custom frames are built and finished one at a time, measured to fit precisely and to allow the proper depth for canvases or other special depth requirements. In addition, our staff can hand carve a frame or use a decorative corner or pattern from the collection of over 2000 composition molds that we own. We can also make our own molds by casting patterns from antique frames or by hand carving a design that we want to duplicate.
Our finish possibilities cover a wide spectrum as well, from natural woods, stains, paints, metal leaf and karat golds in white, yellow and hues in between. Each frame is toned to work with your artwork. Attention to detail is as important to us as it is to you.
A local woodcarver was utilized to carve various parts of the frame. Here is a view of the oak leaf pattern that was carved for the top of the frame.
Each column was custom built to fit the angle of each side.
This image shows a column being constructed. Notice how many pieces are in the base.
This is where the finished frame hangs. Notice the door. Because of that door the frame had to be offset to one side meaning the angles were not identical. The custom made oak base prevents the door from hitting the frame.
Here you can see the finished frame with the 5 paintings installed just before it was delivered to the church.
Some of the smaller parts were attached to the frame after they were gilded.
The many sides and angles and details of this frame presented some challenges for our gilder.
Many of the smaller parts were prepped and gilded seperately and attached to the frame later. Shown here are the 4 capitals for the columns and some of the fleur de lis that can be seen on the top of the frame.
We used leather working tools and a hammer to create some decorative patterns on the flat surfaces of the frame. By softening the gesso with a damp sponge, the surface would not crack.
Notice the subtle patterns that are highlighted in the gilded surface. After the frame was gilded, paint washes and waxes were applied and removed, leaving the appearance of an aged patina. These toners remain in the crevices and add dimension to the flat surfaces.
Once in a while a challenge walks in the door. This was the case with this frame. While not large in size it was larger than life in complexity. From the initial conversations to installation in the chapel, over 300 pieces and over 6 months went into the creation of this one of a kind frame. Take a look as Master Framers creates this spectacular triptych. We took hundreds of photos documenting the process but these few will have to tell the story here.
One of the nice details on this frame was the use of scalloped liners around each painting.