Mounted Vintage Art Prints
These mounted vintage art prints span periods from the Georgian era to the mid-century, bringing historical illustration, portraiture and Japanese woodblocks straight to the wall.
Mounted Vintage Art Prints
Mounted vintage art prints comprise works on paper, card and cardboard secured within frames, mounts and glass for display. When searching for mounted vintage art prints, buyers encounter diverse subjects including sporting scenes, architectural plans, fairy tales and Japanese woodblock prints.
The selection ranges across Victorian, Edwardian, Georgian, Art Deco and mid-century modern styles. Pieces take the form of lithographs, engravings, watercolours, woodblock prints and photographic contact sheets.
Origins stretch from British illustrators and French medical lithographs to Japanese Ukiyo-e printmakers. Many pieces arrive housed in wood frames featuring deep giltwood or silk brocade mounts.
How they were made
Makers utilised paper, card and cardboard as the primary support for ink, watercolour and gold leaf applications. Lithography, woodblock carving and engraving served as the main techniques for producing the imagery.
Framing involved wood and glass to protect the delicate works on paper. Silk brocade and deep giltwood mounts provided structural and visual separation between the print and the frame.
Cats, dogs, horses and birds make regular appearances, proving that historical households loved their animals just as much as we do.
What varies in quality
Quality rests in the precision of the printing technique, whether a sharp woodblock impression, a detailed lithograph or a hand-tinted photograph. The execution of the original illustration or watercolour directly shapes the visual impact of the piece.
The materials enclosing the artwork influence the overall standard. Antique frames constructed from ebonised or rosewood timber, paired with silk brocade or deep giltwood mounts, elevate the presentation of the print.
Donald Grant·Hokusai·Snaffles·Sydney Wilson·Warwick Goble·Julian Mandel·Louis Wain·John Rattenbury Skeaping·Charles F. Tunnicliffe·Kunisada·Sir Thomas Lawrence·T.M Baynes·William Russell Flint
The Mounted Vintage Art Prints Glossary
- Lithograph
- A print produced by a printing process on a flat surface, traditionally stone, using oil and water to repel the ink. This technique allowed for detailed colour illustration.
- Woodblock print
- An image carved into a block of wood, inked and pressed onto paper. Japanese examples from the Ukiyo-e tradition utilise this method.
- Mezzotint engraving
- A printmaking process of the intaglio family where the plate is roughened to achieve tones and shades. Artists used this for portraits and fine illustrations.
- Artist proof
- An impression of a print taken in the printmaking process to check the state of the plate before edition printing. These carry specific significance for collectors.
- Giltwood mount
- A wooden border covered with gold leaf, placed around a print within the frame. It adds a reflective layer to the display.
Mounted Vintage Art Prints: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I hang framed prints?
Secure appropriate fixings into the wall according to the weight of the wood frame and glass. Position the piece at eye level for optimal viewing.
Keep frames away from direct sunlight to protect the paper and ink from fading over time.
What periods do these prints cover?
The selection spans from the Georgian and Victorian eras through the Edwardian period and Art Deco years. Mid-century examples also appear within the listings.
Styles shift accordingly from traditional portraits and architectural plans to Japanese woodblocks and modernist paintings.
How should I clean glass and frames?
Wipe the glass gently with a dry or lightly dampened microfiber cloth. Avoid spraying liquid directly onto the frame or mount to prevent moisture damage.
Dust wooden frames regularly with a soft, dry brush to preserve the finish.
Are these prints original works?
The listings include original prints, woodblocks, engravings and watercolours created during their respective historical periods. Techniques such as lithography and woodblock printing produced these historic impressions.
Artist proofs and signed works indicate direct involvement from the creator.