Julieta Herrera Conservation

Introduction

This is a silver and white gold mirror frame belonging to a private collector. It is likely made of pine wood with water-gilded decoration and possibly dates from the early 20th century.

Condition Before Treatment

The structure of the frame was overall stable. The left tapered dovetail key was loose, although the mitre joint remained properly closed. There were losses to the bead running ornament on the bottom member, and sunken areas were observed on the ogee, particularly at the top right corner and around the top left corner. The surface exhibited several issues: losses to the gesso layer were present on the back edge of the bottom member, the top right corner, and the bottom left member, with some detached fragments available for reattachment. Additional gesso losses were noted on the sight edge, and lifting gesso layers were especially evident on the bottom member. A previous repair on the bottom member appeared to have been done using acrylic paint. The back of the left member had a hollow area exposing the gesso layer. A soiling layer was observed between the beads of the running ornament, and the left bottom corner had a rough surface. A dark black stain was present on the back of the bottom member. The silver leaf on the ogee area was tarnished, and areas originally gilded with white gold leaf showed significant exposed bole throughout.

Treatment

Heavy soiling, particularly on the rebate area at the back, was removed using a soft brush and vacuum cleaner. Damped cotton swabs were used to clean and remove residual paper from the back and to reduce the stain on the bottom back member. Consolidation was carried out with rabbit skin glue. Flaking gesso and losses were filled using gesso putty made from whiting mixed with rabbit skin glue at a 1:10 ratio in water. Gilding was completed using 9.6ct White Loose Gold Leaf by Manetti, supplied by Gold Leaf Supplies, and Silver Leaf supplied by Stuart R. Stevenson. Toning was done using watercolours. Detached fragments were reinstated using hide glue, and the loose key was also adhered with hide glue. Missing beads were modelled using gesso putty. The beads of the running ornament were mechanically cleaned with a scalpel, taking care not to overclean them and to ensure they remained visually distinct from the other mirror available in the house.