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21ST CENTURY CRAFTSMANSHIP
11,000 square feet of craftsmanship , ancient and modern , with more than 50 years manufacturing museum quality frames for 15th to 21st century paintings .
John Davies Framing was established in 1968 after he spent 5 years at Chelsea School of Art and several dismal years teaching . Davies inherited his grandfather ’ s workshop . It was a workshop like no other , with the likes of ebony , tortoiseshell , ivory , antinomy and the toolmaker ’ s tools for processing such exotic materials . The tools and materials were a perfect introduction for making Netherlandish and mid- European frames in the traditional manner for which the company quickly gained international recognition .
The Company is renowned for its attention to detail and authentic construction . These cabinet-making skills are labour intensive and even in the 21st Century craftsmen can hardly build frames any faster than their predecessors could more than three hundred years ago .
Frames continue to be built from traditional materials such as Ebony , Cocoa-bola , Pear , Lime , Walnut , Oak , Panga-Panga , Palisander / Rosewood Ziracote and African Blackwood .
POLISHED FRAMES
The process is a tedious one of filling the wood grain with polish , to bring out its natural beauty . It involves “ putting on ” and “ taking off ” until one achieves a high “ coach gloss ” finish . This in turn requires ageing / distressing to give the surface an antique appearance .
CARVED FRAMES
For the most discerning clients there is still no alternative other than to manufacture in the traditional manner . However , removing surplus wood is the most tedious part of traditional carving so , to meet the challenges of today and remain competitive , the Company invested in possibly the most technically advanced
Robot carving machine to further extend capabilities whilst preserving the highest quality of work with a greater ability to deliver on demand . The skill of the carver is shown in the accuracy and quality of the final carving . The Company ’ s policy is neither to invent nor embellish , but to accurately reproduce original designs .
JIG-MAKING AND IN-HOUSE TOOLING
Jig-making and in-house tooling extended the range of frames as well as promoting the company ’ s versatility . Barely a year goes by when the Company is asked to make truly large frames , not only in overall size , bit also width of profile . To date the largest was a neoclassic frame 15 feet by 32 feet for an overseas client who required the frame to be made in 10 parts with virtually invisible joints .