Ornate - Mini framed oak
Oak gall ink was the standard writing medium of the Victorian era, used for everything from personal letters to official documents. These ornate frames, with period-appropriate detailing, complement both the historical technique and the exquisite detail of the artwork. £85 each - choose from three unique pieces.
About the frames
Two pieces feature a compact frame with decorative braided inner detail (5.5" x 5.5" / 14cm). The deep profile allows them to stand on a shelf or hang on a wall.
One piece features a larger frame with ornate botanical motifs that echo the natural materials in the artwork (7" x 7" / 18cm).
Details
- Approximate dimensions: Art work: 3" x 3" (7.5cm).
- Framed with museum-quality ArtGlass offering 92% UV protection to protect your artwork (manufacturer's certificate included).
- Certificate of authenticity for the artwork is also included with the year of completion, key ingredients, and artist contact details.
- Professional frames assembled in the UK by framers with over 40 years industry experience.
- Ready to ship within two business days.
- UK shipping included; international shipping calculated at checkout.
- Shipped fully insured with protective packaging.
Care instructions
- Display out of direct sunlight to preserve the natural pigments for generations.
Process
From oak trees on Dartmoor, we collect the discarded galls once used by wasps. Over the course of a year, we collect sufficient galls to make a batch of ink. It is unusual to find more than a few galls on each tree. The foraging process takes time and local knowledge to locate the trees and ensure the wasp's lifecycle has completed before harvest. The galls are crushed, and then cooked in water. The tannins leach out, producing a warm, ochre or tan-coloured solution. To this we add a binder to protect the pigments, and ensure the colour cannot be brushed off the page.
We then allow the ink to dance alchemically on the page: to create the rocks and tors of our landscape, we add iron, which transforms the ochre to blacks and greys. Next, a solution of tin is added to create the foreground. Tin lightens the blacks, and often adds new texture to the piece as tin will shrink as it dries, creating cracks in the ink. Finally, a sprinkle of citric acid crystals are added across the top. Not too soon, or they will wash away, but at just the right moment it is possible to sprinkle stars and snowflakes into the sky.
All of our papers are recycled, and British where possible. We can provide you specific details on certifications each paper has, and the mill where they were made.
All of our papers are recycled, and British where possible. We can provide you specific details on certifications each paper has, and the mill where they were made.
- Delivery costs will be calculated at the checkout
- Free UK delivery on all orders over £30
- You can return your order for a full refund or exchange within 30 days of purchase
- Delivery costs will be calculated at the checkout
- Free UK delivery on all orders over £30
- You can return your order for a full refund or exchange within 30 days of purchase
Oak gall ink was the standard writing medium of the Victorian era, used for everything from personal letters to official documents. These ornate frames, with period-appropriate detailing, complement both the historical technique and the exquisite detail of the artwork. £85 each - choose from three unique pieces.
About the frames
Two pieces feature a compact frame with decorative braided inner detail (5.5" x 5.5" / 14cm). The deep profile allows them to stand on a shelf or hang on a wall.
One piece features a larger frame with ornate botanical motifs that echo the natural materials in the artwork (7" x 7" / 18cm).
Details
- Approximate dimensions: Art work: 3" x 3" (7.5cm).
- Framed with museum-quality ArtGlass offering 92% UV protection to protect your artwork (manufacturer's certificate included).
- Certificate of authenticity for the artwork is also included with the year of completion, key ingredients, and artist contact details.
- Professional frames assembled in the UK by framers with over 40 years industry experience.
- Ready to ship within two business days.
- UK shipping included; international shipping calculated at checkout.
- Shipped fully insured with protective packaging.
Care instructions
- Display out of direct sunlight to preserve the natural pigments for generations.
Process
From oak trees on Dartmoor, we collect the discarded galls once used by wasps. Over the course of a year, we collect sufficient galls to make a batch of ink. It is unusual to find more than a few galls on each tree. The foraging process takes time and local knowledge to locate the trees and ensure the wasp's lifecycle has completed before harvest. The galls are crushed, and then cooked in water. The tannins leach out, producing a warm, ochre or tan-coloured solution. To this we add a binder to protect the pigments, and ensure the colour cannot be brushed off the page.
We then allow the ink to dance alchemically on the page: to create the rocks and tors of our landscape, we add iron, which transforms the ochre to blacks and greys. Next, a solution of tin is added to create the foreground. Tin lightens the blacks, and often adds new texture to the piece as tin will shrink as it dries, creating cracks in the ink. Finally, a sprinkle of citric acid crystals are added across the top. Not too soon, or they will wash away, but at just the right moment it is possible to sprinkle stars and snowflakes into the sky.
All of our papers are recycled, and British where possible. We can provide you specific details on certifications each paper has, and the mill where they were made.
All of our papers are recycled, and British where possible. We can provide you specific details on certifications each paper has, and the mill where they were made.
- Delivery costs will be calculated at the checkout
- Free UK delivery on all orders over £30
- You can return your order for a full refund or exchange within 30 days of purchase
- Delivery costs will be calculated at the checkout
- Free UK delivery on all orders over £30
- You can return your order for a full refund or exchange within 30 days of purchase