Hand Finished Hardwoods
Hand-finished hardwood frames are often selected for their classic simplicity when framing contemporary artworks. At Sarah Balinskas Art Services, we create our own hardwood profiles from raw wood, using spline corners that enhance both beauty and stability. Our exquisite finishes are achieved with environmentally safe materials.
Our line of hardwood frames includes options in maple, bird’s-eye maple, walnut, cherry, oak, and ash, with exotic woods available upon request. For more budget-friendly alternatives, we offer manufactured moldings from trusted partners who uphold our high standards.
Welded Metals
Metal frames are an excellent choice for contemporary artworks. Our welded-corner frames are available in aluminum, bronze, and steel and come in a variety of high-quality finishes. The aluminum frames feature thin profiles, making them particularly suitable for work that requires minimal edge. We offer a wide range of powder coat finishes for aluminum frames, including polished aluminum, white, gray, warmer tones, and black.
Our welded steel and bronze frames are available in a selection of finishes, from rough to polished and oiled. Additionally, we have a large in-house collection of metal-frame corner samples showcasing raw, specialty, and powder-coat finishes.
Welded Metals
Artisanal Gold Leaf
Artisanal Gold Leaf
Our gold leaf frames are handcrafted on-site using the traditional water gilding technique. This intricate process is renowned for producing the most lustrous and exquisite gold leaf finishes on wood.
We can create fully custom gold-leaf frames with a variety of milled profiles and finishes, available in different colors, karat compositions, burnishing techniques, rubs, and glazes. The results can range from brilliantly burnished gold to richly authentic antique finishes.
Period Frames
Period frames consist of historically accurate replicas of carved and gilded styles from Italy, Spain, France, the Netherlands, England, and America. We create replicas of frames designed by notable artists such as Childe Hassam, Maurice Prendergast, and Stanford White, as well as primitive designs.
Our traditional finishes include ebonized pear wood, Carpathian elm veneer, Italian gold sgraffito, and incised gesso. Clients can choose a period frame that is historically appropriate for their paintings or works on paper. Additionally, we provide museum-quality nameplates in gold leaf, with calligraphy in suitable typefaces.
Period Frames
Preservation Procedures
Preservation Procedures
We follow established preservation procedures at every stage of the framing process to ensure the quality, value, and integrity of artworks. All handling, material selection, attachments, and fitting work are performed in accordance with museum standards. We do not alter or compromise the artworks, and every step we take is reversible. We are always happy to discuss our preservation procedures and materials with our clients.