We are a conservation and gilding atelier placed in Munich in Germany and Gers in France.
Frames are our passion, but we also take care of the content inside them for You.
Conservation, Restoration, Gilding and Frames
We are specialized in conservation and restoration of artworks and frames with 30 years of experience. We restore paintings on canvas and wooden panels, wooden sculptures and polychromed objects. Our frames are manufactured suitable to the era, style or concept of the artwork.
Our Hand-Made Replica Frames
Frames are our passion! Availability or size may limit the use of antique frames. In our workshop in Gers, we make frames to any specification, using traditional techniques as well as altering and restoring antique frames. Our expert carvers, gilders and cabinet-makers create the highest quality replica frames of all periods and finishes – from the simplest to the most ornamental. This process involves making the carcass by planing and spindle moulding; hand carving of beading; application of gesso, then fixing of moulded inner leaf and outer ornaments: application of yellow followed by red bole; watergilding with 23 carat gold leaf; burnishing, toning and patinating to match original. The widest possible resource of models and patterns is provided by our current inventory and records of the past stock.
Conservation and restoration treatment for paintings
Paintings are subject to damage by air pollution, sunlight, damp and humidity. Canvas can be torn and damaged, wood panels can be split or warped. Old fashioned coal, wood fires, gas burners and cigarette smokers would leave thick layers of grime and yellow deposits on the surface of paintings. All of this can be repaired and removed by the expert restorer without damaging the surface of the painting.
We follow the ethical restoration standards of minimal intervention and reversibility. We only retouch the painting where paint is missing or badly worn.
Retouching is time consuming and painstaking work. Only a small amount of the painting is worked and the colours and original brushstrokes have to be perfectly matched.
Anything that we apply to the painting can be safely removed by future restorers if required.
Paintings on fabric supports such as linen, cotton and silk
> Report of the condition of the artwork. Brief documetation
> Identifying the support and studying the causes of deterioration
> Eliminating deformation on the support like swelling, tears and dents
> Patching of tears and cuts. Reinforcing the edges of the support
> Re-lining the canvas for reinforcing badly damaged and fragile supports
> Repairing or exchanging of the stretcher frame
> Reinforcing of the paint, if necessary
> Cleansing the surface. Varnish removal, if required.
> Overpaint removal
> Filling losses and retouch
> Final varnish
> Advice on conserving the work, new framing or the way of hanging
Paintings on wood panel
> Report of the condition of the artwork. Brief documetation
> Identification of the nature of the support and finding the causes of damages
> Anti-xylophagan treatment against woodworms or termites
> Consolidation of support
> Carpentry restoration of the wooden support
> Cleansing of the paint layer
> Overpaint removal
> Filling losses
> Retouches
> Final varnish
> Advice on conserving the work, new framing or the way of hanging
