Cream Picture Mounts
Cream picture mounts frame works on paper, giving watercolours, prints and engravings the neutral border that sets them apart.
Cream Picture Mounts
Cream picture mounts frame works on paper, surrounding antique watercolours, lithographs and engravings with a pale paper or card border.
The pieces on this page span the nineteenth century, nineteen-ten, nineteen-thirty and nineteen-fifty, holding original watercolours and first edition prints.
Forms range from Victorian genre scenes and caricatures to Edwardian illustration and mid-century British bird paintings.
Materials and construction
Items utilise paper and card mounts to separate the artwork from glass, paired with wood and gilt frames.
Media span watercolour, ink, pencil and lithography, applied directly to paper sheets.
Listings span periods from eighteen-hundred to nineteen-fifty, incorporating paper, card, glass and wood.
Judging quality
Quality rests in the handling of the medium, seen in the precision of ink lines and watercolour washes.
The integration between the mount, frame and artwork dictates the visual weight of the piece.
Adam Buck·Warwick Goble·Louis Wain·Charles F Tunnicliffe·Stanley Orchart·William Russell Flint·Belisario Gioja
The Cream Picture Mounts Glossary
- Mount
- A cardboard or paper border placed around a picture inside the frame. It separates the artwork from the glass.
- Lithograph
- A print made from a flat stone or metal plate using a process based on the repulsion of oil and water. It produces rich tonal gradations.
- Engraving
- A print pulled from a metal plate into which lines have been cut with a burin. This technique yields sharp, precise details.
- Gilt wood
- Wood coated with gold leaf or a gold-coloured metallic finish. It adds a reflective border to the framed work.
Cream Picture Mounts: Frequently Asked Questions
What are cream picture mounts?
Cream picture mounts are paper or card borders used to frame works on paper.
They create a neutral visual space between the artwork and the frame.
How do I care for framed watercolours?
Keep framed watercolours away from direct sunlight to prevent fading of the pigments and yellowing of the paper mounts.
Maintain stable indoor humidity levels to protect the paper and card components.
Are these prints or original paintings?
The selection includes both original watercolours and ink works alongside period prints and engravings.
Check individual titles and descriptions to identify the specific medium of each item.
How do I date antique mounts and frames?
Dating relies on the materials, framing techniques and style of the accompanying artwork.
Nineteenth-century pieces often display distinct paper textures and handwriting styles compared to later mid-century works.