About Sara Tro Expertise I am a professional custom picture framer and designer. I have experience in all areas of
picture framing, and own my own custom framing shop. I can answer questions relating
to the design of a piece, the preservation of the artwork, color theory, photograph
restoration, decor, art placement, room balancing and installation questions.
Experience I have owned my own retail custom frame shop for 5 years, and managed a high-end shop before that for 5.5 years. I worked for a professional restorer and archivist for 8 months prior to the management position. I am also a fine artist myself, with a BFA in Photography and Printmaking, and have been framing my own work for years and years.
Education/Credentials BFA Fine Arts, NYSCC at Alfred University, NY
Hi, I have an antique frame and would like to know if its worth getting repaired and also if it is historically important. There are gilded eagles that go in each corners but I only have 2 1/2 of them, Thanks
Answer Hi David,
thank you for the question and photo! What a cool and unusual frame you have!
I think the main bit of info that you'd need is whether the frame is hand carved or not, and what karat of leafing is used. It's hard to tell from the photo, but leafing squares are about 3" wide, so if you see wider bands anywhere then the leaf isn't real gold.
In the quick look I took, it definately seems like you have a beautiful piece on your hands. However, how that translates into sellability or value is another issue. If you enjoy the frame, it would be worth it to fix it up. I may suggest calling a local museum for a restorers referral, and then either send them a photo or bring the frame in to have them look at it. If the frame is hand carved from a solid, joined frame, then the value will go up. If the piece has historical value, of course the value goes up. But, I'm afraid appraisals are out of my area of expertise, so I wouldn't have any way to gauge how much the frame is worth. I know that if you were to have the frame duplicated today, leafed in 18k gold and hand carved, it would run, retail, around $2,000+ or so, for a 16x20 ish.
I hope some of this helps.. If you need a trustworthy resource, call my friend Danny at Phoenix Art Restoration in Shoreline WA. He might have some more insights.. Also, there is a noted antique frame restorer in Seattle here, on Stone Way, the zip would be 98103, (I can't remember his businesses name, but google may help you find him).
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