posted on January 14, 2001 10:41:54 AM
I purchased some beautiful antique frames at a thrift store.
I am thinking of listing most of them and keeping one for me.
The frames are wood but the ornate scroll work appears to be a plaster like substance.
The one I want to keep for myself would look better if it were cleaner.
What is the best way? Will soap and water soften the plaster like scroll work? It is already chipped in places.
What about mineral spirits? Thanks, Lauren
posted on January 14, 2001 10:50:43 AM
It is probably "gesso", which is a plaster/glue mix. Water will make it fall off.
Dust them carefully, and if you want to wash stains and grime off, do it CAREFULLY with damp cloths and cotton swabs and clean water. Dry the piece immediately.
If something doesn't come off with water, try mineral spirits or lighter fluid. Or just knock the worst of the dust off and call it shabby chic
posted on January 14, 2001 10:59:55 AM
Thanks, Abacaxi!
What is the best catagory to list these in?
I may have not looked in the right place but I can not find a catagory that is just for antique frames.Lauren
posted on January 14, 2001 01:03:45 PM
I am assuming these are not your standard 8"x10" frames.
Have you thought how you're going to securely pack and ship these things? Frankly, unless they're (a) pretty spectacular and (b) in mint condition, I suspect that the labor involved in selling them is going to eat up any profit you might make.
Interestingly, the National Trust (UK) guide to care of the items in their "stately homes" tells you not even to dust these things except very occasionally. Old gilt gesso work is outrageously fragile. Keep that in mind when considering packing/shipping....
posted on January 14, 2001 04:41:25 PM
I appreciate everyone's advice and will leave the frames alone (no cleaning!) and do more research on shipping etc.
Thanks! Lauren
[ edited by lsst on Jan 14, 2001 04:42 PM ]
posted on January 14, 2001 08:58:11 PM
I don't know that much about antiques, but I did get some good advise from my mother ~ who is a collector. Never clean an antique item too well. It will drop in value.
posted on January 15, 2001 04:16:23 AMNever clean an antique item too well. It will drop in value
Doesn't that depend on the item you're talking about? I mean, would filthy or even slightly dirty porcelain or glass be more "valuable" than if washed?
With textiles, too, this is really a case-by-case call: will the cleaning damage or preserve the item (or e.g. the original quilt markings or fabric finish)? Pewter, copper, bronze, brass: don't clean, right? Silver? I understood you DO "clean", but with good polish, not some "dippy" stuff. Wood: don't refinish but do clean. Paper goods often need cleaning as part of stabilization/preservation. A cleaned-up vintage sewing machine will go for substantially more than one with a century of dirt on it. In my understanding, surface dirt does nothing to increase the value of gilt. The point in not cleaning gilded frames was to avoid damaging the fragile gesso work.
posted on January 15, 2001 04:59:37 AM
I have some. They are family heirlooms and have been well taken care of. I dust them with a really soft, clean paintbrush. If yours are really dirty this probably won't help, but if you do get them clean, it's a good way to keep them clean.
posted on January 15, 2001 08:00:58 AM
I recently bought two of the same kind of frames you described. Wood with gold gesso. I just wiped them off as carefully as I could, and said in the auction description that they would need a more thorough cleaning. I bought the pair for $12.00 and sold them for $81.00. good luck!
