Vintage Japanese Woodblock Prints in Hand-Carved Frames

Recently at the Shop: Our tables were recently graced with two wonderful examples of vintage Japanese woodblock prints. We haven’t been able to determine the age or artist, but the works, likely 100-plus years old, are beautifully and meticulously created. Traditional Japanese woodblock printing, or “ukiyo-e,” begins with an artist sketching a design. This design is then carefully transferred onto separate wood blocks, each for a different color in the final print. The artist then carefully carves the design into each block, a process demanding great precision to ensure accurate color alignment in the final image. Ink is then applied to the first block and paper is pressed onto it using a tool called a baren (itself an artisanal craft taking up to a year when traditional methods are used to make one). The print process is repeated with each color block, guided by registration marks to ensure exact alignment. The meticulous nature of this craft lies in the precision of carving and printing, ensuring that each layer of color aligns perfectly with the others. In our examples, we see the results as vibrant, multicolored compositions, reflecting the skill of the artist. The same craftsmanship can be said for the custom, hand-carved finish-corner frames. These were selected to compliment the age and style-details of each composition. They were crafted using the same method the printmaker would have used, carving back areas of the wood to create the raised flourishes and areas that form the design of the frame, in just enough detail to complement the composition and bring the eye into the art. The prints were carefully mounted on archival cotton-rag materials and placed behind optically-coated, UV protective glazing. In the end, we have beautiful, traditional works of Japanese art properly framed and protected for many years of enjoyment by their owners. Thank you! Beautiful art of your own needing expert framing? We’d love to help. Please visit www.claremontcustomframing.com for information about our services, or stop by our Claremont, NH shop now located at 131 Broad St, Claremont, NH! (Appointments appreciated.)

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