NEW YORK, NY.- Eli Wilner & Company is formally announcing a program that facilitates the placement of period frames in museums on behalf of private clients who have rare and unused frames within their collections. This is a unique service that Wilner has provided for decades, which more recently has been in greater demand, in part due to pandemic-related shutdowns during which time many individuals have been re-evaluating the art objects in their homes, in particular those that are family heirlooms. As of Fall 2021, Wilner is actively seeking to place two unique and valuable period frames in museums or other non profit institutions, on behalf of two different private clients.
In one situation, a client had inherited an extremely large framed mirror that had been in storage for more than half a century. As the client was in the process of relocating and down-sizing, and had no emotional attachment to the object itself, the idea of donating was a perfect solution. Upon inspection of the shaped and gilded frame after it was transferred to the Wilner studio, it was determined to be a circa 1820s American frame. It also seemed likely that the glass was not original to the frame, and therefore might be better suited to house a painting. The frame has a sight size of 71 1/4 x 55 ¾ inches with an elegant 4 inch wide profile. It could be resized for an optimal candidate. Please note: this frame is in the process of being restored.
The other period frame available for donation is an American 1850s portrait frame, gilded with applied ornament, with a sight size of 35 5/8 x 28 ⅜ inches. In this circumstance, the frame had been housing a client’s American 1840s ancestral portrait and was not original to the artwork. The interior rabbet of the frame had been opened up to accommodate the painting and was actually covering a total of 4 inches of the painted composition. The client had a companion portrait by the same artist that was in a much more period-appropriate antique frame, and they opted to have a replica of that frame made by Wilner to replace the existing frame in order to have a matching pair. They were delighted at the concept of having their unneeded frame properly placed in an institution. This frame cannot easily be resized due to elaborate center and corner ornaments, but a gilded liner could be added to adjust the sight size.
Institutions are urged to contact the Eli Wilner & Company gallery to discuss potential artwork candidates for either of these frames and take advantage of this rare opportunity. Please be advised that the frames are being offered on a first come first served basis, and the only costs to the receiving institution would be relating to crating and shipping. If resizing or the addition of a gilded liner is required, a separate quote would be provided. Please call 212-744-6521 or email info@eliwilner.com for further information.
Eli Wilner & Company has completed over 10,000 framing projects for private collectors, museums, and institutions including The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Smithsonian American Art Museum and 28 projects for The White House. In 2019, Eli Wilner & Company was honored by the Historic Charleston Foundation with the Samuel Gaillard Stoney Conservation Craftsmanship Award, for their work in historic picture frame conservation.
