How should I hang these heavy gilt frames?

These framed canvases and watercolours require secure fixings into wall studs or appropriate masonry anchors due to the substantial weight of the wood and plaster frames. Ensure the hanging wire or brackets on the reverse match the load capacity to protect both the artwork and the wall surface.

Were these paintings always framed in gilt wood?

Gilt wood surrounds were the standard choice for exhibiting fine art during the nineteenth century, designed to complement the tones within the oil or watercolour. Many surviving pieces retain their period frames, though some may have been reframed or regilt over the decades.

How do I care for antique oil on canvas?

Keep nineteenth-century canvases away from direct sunlight and fluctuating humidity to prevent the oil paint from cracking and the canvas from slackening. Dust the surface and the gilt frame gently with a soft, dry cloth without applying cleaning liquids or pressure to the paint layer.