Another Mirror I Really Didn't Want

Mirror as found

These later version of the classic overmantel mirror were popular between the 1890s and WWI eras. They usually wound up hanging over a sideboard in the dining room if not actually used over a fireplace. They are usually poorly constructed with thin molded ornament. They are also usually deteriorating and not worth taking home, much less restoring. 

I happened across this one, and the price ($10!) was, as they say, right. I didn't really want the frame - I wanted it for the piece of mirror plate in the center section. When I got home with it, I realized that it was more substantial, and of better quality than most of these I run across. The turnings and ornament were fairly robust, and the prints nice copies of early ones. Some areas were water gilt, the rest flash gilded. 

Of course, nothing is perfect. There was a section of rail that sustained damage. I made a mold and cast a replacement. Actually two, since fitting these curved pieces can be tricky, and invariable at least one attempt shatters. Having a backup ensures that the first one will work fine and the second will not be needed.

There will be some gesso fills and touch-ups. I'm also debating replacing the prints with mirror plate. But since it will probably just end up in storage, maybe I'll make that decision later.

Missing section and new casting

Casting fitted into position

Well is it the Whole Ball of Wax or Not?

The current skewings jar

I'm in the middle of another  gilding project. While working with gold leaf, you do wind up with small scraps, or "skewings" - the excess gold that did not adhere and gets brushed off the item. It's a good idea to save these since they can come in handy later. For example, touch-up work in crevices or inner areas where these can be pushed in and then the excess removed (remember putting glitter on Elmer's glue when you were in elementary school?).

They can also be used in some decorative painting techniques where they are scattered on a surface.

As you become more experienced as a gilder, you get better at handling and laying leaf, so you don't have as much excess as you might think. This is a jar I've been using for years, and as you can see, it still has room. As for actual gold content, due to the thinness of the leaf, there are only a few grams of gold in there.

You've probably heard the saying "The whole ball of wax" meaning "everything". Some people believed that this came from the practice of picking up the scrap gold with a ball of wax, to be sent for sale at the scrap gold dealer. As it would take a long time to accumulate enough gold to make this worthwhile, someone could walk off with it; - making off with "the whole ball of wax".

These, and other versions are probably just legends. It is believed the true origin of the phrase derived from "the whole bailiwick".

Gilders like our story better.

Keeping Busy while Keeping my Social Distance

I realize that it has been a while since a blog entry. And now that we are in isolation mode it seems like a good chance to get caught up on a lot of things.

I'm using this time to work on a client project, as well as some of my own that have fallen by the wayside, never made it out of storage (and recent purchases).

Tools of the trade

The pieces shown here are for a chandelier. I received the unassembled pieces (Hey, kids, get this great "Make Your Own Chandelier Kit", but here is an illustration of a similar one on the project page: http://www.forthillstudios.com/Restorations/Chandelier2020/chandelier.html

This mirror was hanging on the wall for a bout a year. Finally stripped paint last month.

Now the structural repair begins

While the situation we are in is not pleasant, I'll try to make good use of my time. Both working on projects and posting about them.

I saw an oval potrait like the one below while previewing an auction. Then remembered I had one just like it in storage waiting for a repair. Now I'll put this in the queue.

As often happens, edges suffer losses on these ovals

Not the most extraordinary example, but the reverse painting was intact, the surface of the frame oxidized/aged but not over-painted. Corner elements need repair, but this is usually one of the simplest types of repairs. Currently hanging by the laundry room as a constant reproach. This could be its time!

All right, all right. I'll get to it.

Plein Air and the Requisite Adjustments

Green fields, ominous clouds

In August, my friend Steve and I spent a plein air day on Route 30 in Westborough (proving that you don't have to travel far in order to find subject matter). The stretch between Nourse farm and Tufts Veterinary Hospital offer some good views (as well as spots to pull off the road safely).

Now that winter is approaching, we re-visit those pleasant plein air excursions by taking out the paintings, evaluating them and doing any necessary (or even un-necessary) finishing touches.

I find that my paintings are impressive when out in the field, but when they come inside the house they are lacking something. Perhaps it's the change in light, or the passage of time.

These excursions do provide material for painting indoors over the upcoming winter.

Steve packing up His works are far more vibrant with more exciting color than I dare to use.

I like to paint in style.

It looked good in the field

As painted outdoors

Some later reworking 

As painted in the field

With later work at home. Not that much was done; major differences due to lighting when photographed.

End of the Season

Bringing the doorstep pumpkin home for the winter. Well, for the compost pile.

When fall arrives, it's time to start thinking about when to close up the house in Maine. Usually, there are spells of weather so good that you keep saying "well, maybe I'll just wait another week". And invariably, immediately afterwards the weather turns bitter and cold, usually with some freezing rain in the mix. Once again, I had planned a long close-up weekend, and then the forecast was for a week of record cold. So I made the one day journey to close up, take home the things that I needed back home, as well as those that should not be left in the cold, cold house.

You'd think after all these years I'd learn my lesson and not keep trying to extend the season.

Regilding an Oval Victorian Liner

Gilded liners for picture frames usually suffer from overzealous cleaning of the glass, where abrasion, combined with ammonia based products removes the protective shellac and then the gold.

Damaged are

In this case, the damage appeared to have been caused by the frame standing in a wet area. The gesso had become friable at one end, and the clay and gilding gone from that area. The concern with water damage is whether the rest of the gesso has been compromised.

The glue holding the joint together had also dissolved, so the first step was to re-glue and clamp this joint. The liner was gessoed, smoothed, and a grey clay applied. 

Grey clay applied

As it would be difficult to have a graceful transition, the entire liner was re-gilded with 22K. After burnishing, a light distressing, then shellac applied.

Water gilding

Finished

A Tropical Sojurn

On a cold, windy Saturday it was a nice respite to go a few miles up the road to Tower Hill Botanical Garden. While it wasn't a day for the outdoors, their indoor spaces were warm and tropical. We picked this spot for sketching, primarily because their was a convenient table and chairs to use as a workstation.

Not wanting to haul in any painting equipment, I took some photos and made a couple of sketches.

A Bacchante hiding in the foliage (at least from this angle)

He looks a bit like Harpo Marx in this sketch.

On Tuesday, made one of my sporadic appearances with a local painting group. Since a storm was imminent, wanted to paint something, anything that wouldn't include snow.

My watercolor version