This glossary includes framing terms used in the ledger and transcription, in particular the terms used to describe the 240 frame sketches in the ledger. In addition, the terms for frame dimensions are defined.
Alhambra
A style of frame featuring geometric and arabesque patterns, inspired by the decoration of the Alhambra palace in Granada, Spain.
Architrave
Derived from classical architecture, this type of moulding is related to the edging used around doors and windows. In contrast to the Reverse architrave frame type, the highest point of the profile is generally towards the outer part of the frame.
Bevel
An angled profile.
Cassetta
Meaning “little box” in Italian, this type of frame has raised timber or ornament at the inner and outer edges and a flat recessed section between.
Classical revival
A nineteenth century frame style based on ancient Greek and Roman architecture. In the context of Thallon these frames often featured a large scoop (or scotia).
Cove
A simple frame style featuring a quarter-circle scooped profile.
Flat
A simple frame style predominantly composed of a flat surface.
Garland
A frame consisting mainly of a torus ornament composed of overlapping leaves, such as laurel or oak.
Large bevel
A broad frame with a bevel (or slope) descending towards the inner part of the frame. The bevel may have a timber or gilded finish. Often there is torus ornament of laurel or oak leaves near the outer part of the frame. This style of frame, along with the reverse form, was commonly made by Thallon in the 1890s.
Profile
The profile is the shape of a frame moulding. A profile drawing is an illustration of the frame moulding in cross-section.
Reverse frames
Frames where the profile is in ‘reverse’ to the standard shape. Looking at the profile shape, the highest point is near the inner part of the frame, whereas in standard forms the highest point is near the outer part of the frame.
Reverse architrave
An architrave style frame in which the highest point of the profile is towards the inner part of the frame.
Reverse cassetta
A cassetta style of frame with the inner part of the profile is higher than the outer part.
Rolando
A frame style named after the artist Charles Rolando, a regular client of Melbourne frame maker John Thallon. Rolando frames are highly ornamented, often including a spiralling leaf ornament at the top edge and a sanded frieze.
Steep bevel
A profile with a more extreme angle to the bevel.
Reverse large bevel
A broad frame with a bevel (or slope) descending to the outer part of the frame. The bevel may have a timber or gilded finish. Often there is torus ornament of laurel or oak leaves at the top edge of the frame near the inner part of the frame. This style of frame, along with the regular form, was commonly made by Thallon in the 1890’s.
Watts
A cassetta style frame popularised by British artist G. F. Watts. First appearing in the 1860s, this style of frame features a gilded oak flat, raised outer ornament of acanthus leaves, and an inner section of small leaves.
Back edge
The outer edge of the frame furthest from the painting.
Bead moulding/beading
A small moulding with a semi-circular profile. Also called an astragal.
Bevel sight edge
Angled inner part of the frame.
Bevel slip
Type of narrow inner frame with an angled profile.
Cavetto slip
Type of narrow inner frame with a quarter-circle scooped profile.
Edge bead
A bead moulding between two steps at an edge.
Fillet
A narrow flat section between different mouldings.
Fluted/fluting
A carved or moulded repeated decoration in the form of parallel, recessed channels.
Gilding
A decorative technique where a layer of incredibly thinly beaten metal (commonly gold) is applied to a surface.
Laurel or oak
Laurel leaves (also known as bay leaves), often shown with their berries, and oak leaves, are two natural forms often seen in frame ornament, appearing as repeated patterns.
Moulding
A term generally used to describe a timber length that has been shaped using tools such as scrapers, planes or rotary cutters. It is the basic shape of the frame profile.
Ogee
A term used to describe a frame moulding with an S-curve profile.
Ornament
Decoration that is applied to a plain frame moulding.
Outer scotia
A large, scooped moulding, generally based on an ellipse, located at the outer part of the frame
Ovolo
A quarter-circle shaped profile or moulding.
Rebate
The recess at the back of a frame’s inside edge, onto which the painting is positioned.
Reeded
Decoration composed of parallel lines of semi-circular rods.
Sanding
The application of a granular material to a tacky surface to create a textured effect. Commonly sand is used, but other materials can be substituted for different effects. It is usually applied to flat sections of the frame and termed a ‘sanded flat’.
Scotia
A large, scooped moulding, generally based on an ellipse.
Sight edge
The inner edge of the frame, closest to the painting.
Slip
A narrow inner frame, generally flat or bevelled, that sits within the rebate at the sight edge of the main frame.
Slip with flat & cavetto
Type of narrow inner frame which is flat with a small quarter-circle scoop at the inner part.
Tenia (also Taenia)
A small raised rectangular step.
Top edge
The highest part of a frame, that is closest to the viewer.
Torus
A semi-circular decorative moulding, often applied to the top edge of a frame.
External size/dimensions
Outer measurements of the frame.
Member width
The width of the frame profile or cross-section, from sight edge to back edge.
Rebate size/dimensions
The size of the frame opening from the back, including the recess at the frame’s inside edge.
Sight size/dimensions
The size of the frame opening from the front.