Antique & Second Hand Frames
Sometimes the perfect frame has been quietly waiting for decades …..
One of the great treasures I inherited when I took over Artis Pura was Erin's remarkable collection of antique and reclaimed frames. Lining an entire wall of the workshop, they represent decades of careful collecting and form an important part of the Artis Pura legacy. Each frame is simply waiting for the artwork it was always meant to hold. Some require only gentle conservation, while others are repaired, resized, re-gilded, waxed, stained, or hand-painted to begin a new chapter.
Reusing existing frames is one of the most sustainable choices we can make. It celebrates the craftsmanship of the past, reduces waste and often provides a beautiful, budget-friendly alternative to commissioning a new frame. I also love working with frames that clients bring from home—whether they've been inherited, discovered in an antique shop, or rescued from the back of a cupboard. Sometimes the perfect frame has been quietly waiting for years.
Original hand-blown glass, framer's labels, artists' inscriptions, gallery stamps, handwritten notes on the reverse, even beautifully hand-cut matboards can all form part of an artwork's provenance. Wherever possible, I preserve these details, allowing the history of the piece to remain part of its story while ensuring it can continue to be enjoyed for generations to come.
The character, craftsmanship, and patina of an original frame can bring a remarkable sense of harmony to a piece while preserving its historical integrity.
Antique & Second Hand Frames
This gallery showcases antique and second-hand frames that have been given a new life at Artis Pura — carefully cleaned, repaired, resized or refinished and thoughtfully matched with new artworks. From period pieces and old family photographs to contemporary works, these frames bring their own history and character to the pieces they now surround.
