Gilt Frames for Tavernier paintings

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Measuring approximately, overall: 33" x 491/4" x 23/4"
sight edge: 235/16" x 391/2"

Condition:
Surface of frame in poor condition. Miters appear to be tight. Composition moldings (often called compo) applied over wood with three passages of water gilt silver leaf (originally toned with a yellow coating to simulate gold leaf). One of these silver leafed passages has been subsequently over-painted with "silver" paint. The silver leaf was applied to the gessoed elements with a dilute water glue size and then burnished. Composition molding passages on frame appear to have been painted with "gold" paint. The paint has now completed tarnished/deteriorated and is now quite dirty and covered in some areas with what appears to have been mold or other organic growth. The paint layer is not uniformly applied, being thick in some areas, and cracked/crizzled in many.

Composition moldings can present several problems not encountered in carved frames. Composition is a plastic material generally composed of whiting (chalk), a hide glue, rosin, and linseed oil. The ingredients are mixed hot and pressed into moulds. The composition is then removed from the mould and transferred and glued onto the frame stock. The stock would be gilded or painted, cut and then assembled into frames.

As the composition ages, shrinkage occurs and cracks develop. These can be seen below as the dark parallel lines. These cracks are considered acceptable and the condition is to be expected.

Often the stresses caused by the shrinkage will delaminate the composition layer from the wood support. This type of failure is present to varying degrees on some areas of the frame. This condition, if left unaddressed will likely result in further loss (delamination and lifting off) of the composition areas. It was not possible to determine the extent this is occurring due to the "gold" overpaint and limited time for examination.

Below are several photographs showing overall condition.

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Detail of one inside corner as viewed from above.

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Detail of an outside corner.

Outside vertical painted surface

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With sections of composition molding chipped away and missing

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Close-up of vertical face on inside of frame.

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Close-up of thick "gold" overpaint obliterating detail in composition molding.

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Recommendations: It would seem inappropriate to use the frame for the display of a painting, in its present condition. You might consider obtaining a reproduction period frame or an antique one in better condition, or treating the existing frame as outlined below.

Chemically remove gold and silver paint. Removal of the paint layer(s) will be difficult as most solvent combinations that will attack the oxidized metallic paint film will also have an effect on the underlying composition. Additionally, the silver gilt areas are very sensitive to any solvents containing water.
Determine extent to which consolidation of delaminating composition areas may be necessary. Proceed with consolidation with hot hide glue as necessary. Rebuild/form areas of loss in composition with silica and phenolic microballoon filled epoxy resin mixture.
Seal composition and silver leafed sections of frame with B-72 acrylic resin, oil size and gild all in 23 kt gold leaf. Repaint outside of frame to approximately match, as was done originally with ochre/sienna colored paints. Tone all to simulate appropriate age.