Glossary

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    Definition
  • Gold leaf that is composed of 51% Gold, 48% Silver and 1.0% Palladium. Often used for gilding decorative picture frames. The high silver content gives the leaf its "white gold" appearance.
  • Gold leaf that is composed of 75% Gold and 25% Silver. Often used for gilding decorative picture frames. The 25% silver content gives the leaf it’s a cooler slightly green appearance and is often called Lemon Gold.
  • Gold leaf that is composed of 91.8% Gold, 7.2% Silver and 1.0% Copper. Often used for gilding decorative picture frames.
  • Gold leaf that is composed of 92% Gold, 3.5% Silver and 4.5% Palladium.
  • Gold leaf that is composed of 95.8% Gold, 3.5% Silver, 0.7% Copper.
  • Gold leaf that is 99.9% gold.
  • Damage resulting in a loss to the surface caused by friction such as rubbing or scraping.
  • This occurs when artwork is matted and framed using materials that are not conservation quality (acid-free). Acid burn presents as a yellow or brown discoloration on the sheet.
  • The movement of acid from an acidic material to material of lesser pH or no acidity, either from direct contact or through exposure to acidic vapors in the surrounding environment.
  • A state in which the pH is less than pH7. Pure cellulose is initially slightly acidic, but on exposure to light, oxygen, pollutant gasses, and acidic materials in its environment, its pH can decrease, thus increasing in acidity, resulting in degradation of the sheet.
  • Often known as the brand name "Plexiglas" , it is a clear plastic glazing used for oversized artwork , or for artwork that is shipped, or often handled, when glass is not an option.
  • The application of an optically clear adhesive directly to the face of a print and adhering it to a sheet of acrylic. The print is then backed with a rigid substrate such as dibond. A cleat is installed on the back for hanging, which then creates a frameless floating appearance of the(...)
  • A mixture of calcium carbonate, white pigment and an acrylic binder. Coating a canvas with this substance prior to painting with acrylics will improve the longevity of the artwork and canvas support.
  • A trademark name for clear acrylic glazing.
  • The Replacement Value of an item minus depreciation. For items to which depreciation is not appropriately applied (such as antiques, collectibles, and fine art, etc.), Actual Cash Value is equivalent to Fair Market Value.
  • A synthetic, or organic agent used to join two materials.
  • A tool used burnish gold leaf in the final stage of water gilding to create a bright reflective finish.
  • The process of either application of altering a metal amalgam on glass to create an antique like reflection, or application of a metal amalgam on a specialty glass to create a artisanal reflection.
  • A photographic print ppopular in the 2nd half of the 19th centruy that involved coating a sheet of paper paper with albumen (egg white) and then silver nitrate. Unlike daguerreotypes, ambrotypes and tin types, these prints involved using a negative, so that multiple prints could be produced(...)
  • Having a pH greater than 7.
  • Typically an 1/8" extra space in the widths and lengths of a frame to ensure that all of the housed components (the artwork, matting, mounting boards, backing and glazing) will properly fit. The additional space accommodates the potential expansion and contraction of hygroscopic materials as(...)
  • Preferred for it's durability, light weight and economical attributes, aluminum frames are frequently purchased as sectional frames, in custom lengths, and can also be welded and custom finished.
  • Developed in the early 1850s, it is an early form of photography that produced a negative image on a coated piece of glass. The glass was then backed with a dark coating or background to create the positive image. The images are often housed in a small decorative case. Ambrotypes were less(...)
  • A French furniture maker that lived from 1642-1732. He was known for his elaborate designs that featured scrolling inlaid designs in brass, tortoise shell and exotic wood.
  • Complete depletion of oxygen.
  • Popular motif used in the last 18th and early 19th century, it has the stylized appearance of a palm frond. Also referred as a palmette.
  • (AR) Significantly reduces reflection through use of an optical coating or surface treatment, without losing clarity.
  • An item that is over 100 years old.
  • The process of adding or imitating the appearance of age to a finish.
  • Water based
  • An ornamental design composed of intertwined scrolling foliage.
  • A generally used term that suggests that a material or product is permanent, durable or chemically stable which can safely be used for preservation purposes. 
  • A Chicago firm that was founded in the early 1940s by Armand Lee that specializes in custom carved, finished and gilded frames, artisanal mirrors, archival framing and services related to support the museum, interior design and interior architecture industries. www.armandlee.com
  • The high point between two grooves in a fluted design.
  • The process of either application of altering a metal amalgam on glass to create an antique like reflection, or application of a metal amalgam on a specialty glass to create a artisanal reflection.
  • A movement in fine and decorative arts between 1880-1920 that focused on the value of handcraftsmanship in response to the mechanization of items resulting from the industrial revolution.
  • Small moulding used on glass or between glass panels on furniture.
  • The board that covers and protects the back of the text block.
  • A protective rigid backing that is placed behind the mountboard in a frame. Materials used can vary depending on the time period and quality of the framing. Oftentimes it is cardboard, foam core, coroplast, dibond, etc.
  • A final cover on the back of a frame, which is most often a paper dustcover.
  • Composed of alphacellulose face paper, core and backing, with zeolites and added buffers, the board is acid-free and lignin free, fade and bleed resistant. Available in over 400 shades and surface treatments with sheet size up to 40" x 60" in select shades. This is a popular option for(...)
  • Composed of 100% cotton fiber ragboard used for archival supports and matting. Fade and bleed resistant. Naturally acid-free and lignin free. Available in 24 shades with sheet sizes up to 48" x 96" in white.
  • A decorative inlaid veneer boarder or edge on a piece of furniture.
  • Late 19th century profile with cast ornamentation of running acanthus and floral motif, with incised cross hatch design on the rail. Often used by American and French painters of the Barbizon school.
  • French for "low relief", it is a type of carving where the rendered design or elements stand out from a flat surface.
  • A design popular in Dutch frames and cabinetwork that has an appearance of stylized woven reeds.
  • A wax resist dying technique used to create patterns and imagery in textiles.
  • Traditional ornamental design that is a combination of round beads, with a disk shaped flanking and elongated bead.
  • Traditional ornamental design of repeating round spheres. Also called pearls.
  • A reversible thermoplastic adhesive that is widely usded in a variety of conservation treatments.

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