Priya Kapoor
Determining the age of a painting frame can be tricky, especially since decorating styles often come back into fashion. However, there are some tell-tale signs that can help you estimate its age. Firstly, consider the material of the frame. Frames made of wood are likely to be from before the 19th century, whereas frames from the 19th century onwards were often made of plaster attached to a wooden frame. If the frame is gilded, check whether it is real gold or a cheaper alternative like bronze paint or metal leaf. Real gold leaf does not tarnish with age and is applied by hand, often leaving faint lines where the sheets overlap. Secondly, examine the back of the frame for signs of ageing, such as wormholes, warping, or old hardware. If the frame is held together without nails or tacks, it may be very old. Finally, consider the style and design of the frame. While this is not always a reliable indicator, as some designs have been reproduced in later times, it can sometimes provide clues about the period in which it was made.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Design and style | Tabernacle frames, for example, are ancient, but not all tabernacle frames are antique. |
| Gilding | Real gold leaf has an unmistakable sheen and does not tarnish with age. |
| Construction | Wormholes, warping, and old hardware are signs of an antique frame. |
| Material | Frames were typically made of wood before the 19th century. |
| Size | Larger frames are generally worth more than smaller frames. |
| Artist's signature | Signatures can be forged, so don't rely on them alone. |
| Brushwork style | Brushwork can be used to determine whether a painting is a forgery. |
| Paint discolouration | A painting's surface may discolour through age or contamination. |
| Canvas | The appearance of the verso (the back) of a canvas can provide information about its age. |
| Stamps | Canvases may have stamps to identify the supplier, which can be useful for ascertaining age. |
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What You'll Learn
Look at the back of the frame
Looking at the back of a painting frame, also known as the verso, can reveal important clues about its age.
Firstly, the material used for the frame can indicate its age. Frames made of plaster or composition became popular in the early 19th century, so if a frame is made of plaster rather than carved wood, it is probably not older than the 19th century. For example, a Louis XV antique frame constructed of plaster could not have been made in the 18th century.
Secondly, the presence of wormholes, warping, and old hardware can suggest that a frame is old. Most new reproduction frames won't have backs that look old, and most picture framers do not duplicate wormholes or warping on the back of a new frame even if they distress its front to look old.
Thirdly, the style and design of the frame can provide some indication of its age. However, it is important to note that many designs were reproduced in later times, so caution should be exercised when considering this factor. For example, the Italian Cassetta Frame, first mentioned in the 13th century, was continually reproduced in the 19th and 20th centuries. During the Victorian era, ornate decoration and opulence were embraced, and this carried over into the picture frames produced.
Finally, the verso of a canvas painting can provide telling information. For example, most 17th-century paintings are relined by attaching a newer canvas to the back of the older one for preservation. The stretcher, a group of four wooden bars that form a square or rectangle and are placed at the back of a canvas painting, can also provide clues about the age of the painting. The way the canvas is secured to the stretcher, such as the use of hand-wrought nails, can be indicative of the age. Additionally, the stretcher construction can help identify the date of the painting; X and H stretchers are commonly found on 18th and 19th-century European paintings, while stretchers with mitered corners are more typical of American paintings from the 1900s or later.
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Check for wormholes and warping
Checking for wormholes and warping can be a good indicator of the age of a painting frame. Wormholes and warping are telltale signs of an antique frame. Warping is a deformity that occurs when the moisture content in the wood changes unevenly, causing the wood to expand and contract. This can be due to changes in humidity, poor maintenance of the wood, or insect infestation. Warping can also occur in metal frames.
To identify wormholes and warping, carefully inspect the verso, or back, of the frame. Most framers do not duplicate wormholes or warping on new frames, even if they distress the front to make it look old. Therefore, the presence of wormholes and warping on the verso of a frame suggests that it is genuinely old.
If you discover that your frame is warped, there are ways to counteract it. One method is to attach a piece of paper to the reverse side of the frame, creating a vapor barrier and providing support to keep the frame flat. This technique helps to prevent further warping and keeps dust out of the frame.
Additionally, maintaining a suitable humidity level in the environment where the frame is kept is crucial. Keeping the humidity level below 50% helps prevent infestation and wood degradation, while maintaining a level above 30% prevents the frame from drying out, reducing the risk of warping. Climate control is essential for preserving the condition of natural wood frames.
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Observe the gilding
Secondly, examine the sheen or lustre of the gilding. Real gold leaf doesn't tarnish and will maintain its lustre, whereas bronze paint finishes will discolour and turn a dull brown over time. Gold leaf also has an unmistakable sheen that is easy to identify.
Thirdly, look for gilding lines. These faint lines are where the gold leaf sheets overlapped during application and indicate that the frame is valuable and likely antique.
Finally, observe the colour of the gilding. If the frame has a gold lustre, rather than a brownish tarnish or yellow hue, it may be an antique. However, be aware that some antique frames are gilded in metals less precious than gold, so the presence of a gold hue does not always indicate genuine gold leaf.
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Inspect the canvas
Inspecting the canvas is crucial when trying to determine the age of a painting frame. The colour of the canvas, for instance, can be indicative of its age. Canvases from the 1800s tend to have a distinct brown or dark beige colour and an open weave. In contrast, canvases from the 1900s typically feature a closed weave and a bright white colour.
The verso (the back) of a canvas can also provide telling information. Inscriptions, labels, and hardware that accumulate as paintings change hands can offer clues about their history. For example, the stretcher bars used to mount the canvas can indicate the age of the painting. Stretchers made of American White Pine, for instance, are commonly found in 19th-century American paintings, while European paintings from the same period often feature stretchers made of light-grain pine. Additionally, the method of attaching the canvas to the stretcher bars can be indicative of age. Paintings secured with nails, for instance, typically date to 1940 or earlier, while those attached with staples usually post-date 1940.
Moreover, the verso of a canvas can reveal signs of relining, a process of attaching a new canvas support to the back of the original canvas for conservation purposes. Relined canvases may appear older than they actually are, as the original stretcher bars and nails are often retained during the process. Examining the canvas closely can help determine if it has been relined, as the presence of more than one layer of canvas is a telltale sign.
The condition of the canvas itself can also provide insights into the age of the painting. For instance, old oil paintings often exhibit a fine pattern of cracks known as "craquelure", which can be examined to determine if they feel natural or artificially aged. However, it is important to note that artificial cracking may be challenging to distinguish from natural ageing, and expert consultation is recommended for uncertain cases.
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Examine the brushwork
Examining the brushwork is a crucial aspect of determining the age of a painting. Here are some instructive guidelines to consider:
Firstly, scrutinize the brushstrokes for consistency with the known techniques of the artist. Each artist has distinctive styles and techniques, and understanding these can aid in recognizing an original painting. Compare the brushwork and painting style with the artist's other works to identify any deviations that may indicate a forgery or a later reproduction.
Secondly, analyze the paint layers and texture. Original paintings often exhibit varied paint thickness due to the artist's unique brushwork. Modern reproductions, on the other hand, may have a more uniform thickness. Additionally, look for visible underlayers, such as underdrawings or preparatory sketches. Paintings by old masters often reveal these underlying elements, which can be examined using infrared reflectography (IR).
Next, examine the painting for signs of natural aging. Over time, oil paint tends to crack along the grain of the canvas, resulting in a fine pattern of cracks known as "craquelure." These cracks can indicate the age and authenticity of a painting. However, be cautious, as artificial aging techniques can also create similar crack patterns. Consult an expert if you're unsure.
Furthermore, consider the material of the canvas itself. Historic canvases were typically made from natural fibers like linen or cotton, while modern reproductions may use synthetic materials. The canvas's verso (back) can also provide valuable information. Older canvases tend to darken with age, and you may find evidence of relining, a conservation method used in the 19th century where a newer canvas is attached to the back of an older one.
Lastly, pay attention to the frame and mounting methods. An original frame should exhibit signs of wear and tear, such as patina and minor damage, consistent with its supposed time period. A modern artwork aged to look antique may have a machine-cut frame or backing material that doesn't quite match the painting surface in terms of aging.
By carefully examining the brushwork and considering these additional factors, you can gain valuable insights into the age and authenticity of a painting.
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Frequently asked questions
Antique frames are usually made of wood and often feature intricate designs. Look for wormholes, warping, old hardware, and whether the frame is fit together without nails or tacks. The gilding can also offer clues—if there are paintbrush marks, it is painted and not gilded.
Bronze paint is often used to camouflage damaged gilding and can be detected by its visible brushstrokes. Metal leaf is another inexpensive substitute for gold, which can be spotted due to its orange hue. Real gold leaf, on the other hand, does not tarnish with age and has an unmistakable sheen.
An expert can look into the brush strokes of a piece to determine whether it is genuine. Conservators can also take pigment samples for age analysis. Some other signs of a modern artwork include machine-cut backing material and a discoloured surface.
The verso (back) of a canvas can provide telling information. For example, if the canvas is attached to a stretcher with nails, it likely dates to the 1800s or earlier. Additionally, some canvases have a stamp to identify the supplier, and the National Portrait Gallery keeps a record of how these stamps have changed over time.
