Thread: old mirror frame copy

Looking bally good
Regards

Hi Copeau, Great work on the carving, you got it spot on, Can't help with the finish but just curious to know what wood you used.

It's made of basswood, a bit spalted here or there. Only had small logs left so I had to make it from small pieces glued (8-9cm width).

Its a beautiful piece of replication. I'll be interested to see a photo of the finished articles

Must be wonderful to be a gifted craftsman! What a magnificent piece of work, well done copeau.

Beautiful work Copeau, I notice that there is a row of 'balls' (I'm sure it has a technical name but I don't know it!) on the outside of the mirror circle at the top that doesn't appear to be in the original. Was that something you added as an extra flourish?

Fantastic work. Thanks for showing us. I keep on seeing things to aspire too.

Originally Posted by Whittling

Beautiful work Copeau, I notice that there is a row of 'balls' (I'm sure it has a technical name but I don't know it!) on the outside of the mirror circle at the top that doesn't appear to be in the original. Was that something you added as an extra flourish?

Thanks for kind comments !
It's not obvious on the picture but there's a row of what I call pearls (maybe there's a more technical word) on the original too.
Maybe mine are a bit bigger, even if i tried to take the same lengh...

I started the finish !

Here is the frame after 3 coats of gesso, recipe found on the net :
rabbit skin glue at 10%+same weight of chalk.
smoothed with water on 400 abrasive and on my fingers between coats.
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after a dry sanding with 400 abrasive and fine steel wool, it becomes very smooth, shinny, and it's white as a bone.

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I tried to make gesso the thinner i can to let the details safe. Here it's so thin you can see tool marks through... and the uneven face on the section too.
I find it so nice like this that it's almost a pain to put silver finish on it.


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The last picts. I'm not completely happy with this kind of finish ( apart i don't really like metallic colours) but family tells it's ok.
Please give your opinion.


A "before/after" patina. Looks more like steel before.
I tried to reproduce silver rust's "piqué" by tapping black stained wax with a brush.

100_4390.JPG


close-up of the patina :


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Both frames with the originals mirrors inside

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Thanks for showing us the whole process and the end result. While I have to admit that this sort of thing doesn't do much for me as a style, your skill in producing such articles, and your attention to the detail is most inspiring. Fantastic end result.

Whittling: I think that copeau gave us a very useful tutorial for that kind of carving.
The result is quite stunning. I am so pleased to see the stages in the craftsmanship of such a challenging project. We saw it all = from glue-up to finish. I just have to keep this in my head for the chance, the time, when I just might want to try a similar project.
It was not what you nor I are inclined to do. But, we might as well celebrate his triumpf (pass the wine, please.) We all know the time and effort that had to be invested.
Hey, Copeau! C'est Bon!

Originally Posted by Robson Valley

Whittling: I think that copeau gave us a very useful tutorial for that kind of carving.
The result is quite stunning. I am so pleased to see the stages in the craftsmanship of such a challenging project. We saw it all = from glue-up to finish. I just have to keep this in my head for the chance, the time, when I just might want to try a similar project.
It was not what you nor I are inclined to do. But, we might as well celebrate his triumpf (pass the wine, please.) We all know the time and effort that had to be invested.
Hey, Copeau! C'est Bon!

Couldn't agree more RV... Hope my comment was not misconstrued. While the subject matter may not be to my taste, it does not prevent me from appreciating the patience and skill involved in producing it. They are very much acknowledged and admired. Sorry if what I said seemed to be suggesting anything else... far from it!

Nope. None taken. I was just adding some garnish.
Looking in Copeau's Blog, he has been around the track many times.
I can only dream of having that carving control.

Thanks guys and don't worry about giving your opinion.
I must say it's not exactly my taste too, and even if i can appreciate classical styles of ornament !
I also prefer to let the wood shows, but gesso and patina was an interesting thing to experiment.
I may use gesso again, in a different and less classical way...