and its substitutes, and in wood (see
WOOD-CARVING) and other soft materials (see also GEM.)

CARVING AND GILDING, two allied operations which formerly were the most
prominent features in the important industry of frame-making. The
craftsmen who pursued the occupation were known as "carvers and
gilders," and the terms still continue to be the recognized trade-name
of frame-making, although very little of the ornamentation of frame-work
is now accomplished by carving, and much of the so-called gilt ornament
is produced without the use of gold. The trade has to do primarily with
the frames of pictures, engravings and mirrors, but many of the light
decorative fittings of houses, finished in "composition" and gilt work,
are also entrusted to the carver and gilder. Fashion in picture frames,
like all fashions, fluctuates greatly. Mouldings of the prevailing sizes
and patterns are generally manufactured in special factories, and
supplied in lengths to carvers and gilders ready for use. A large
proportion of such mouldings, especially those of a cheaper and inferior
quality, are made in Germany. What is distinctively known as a "German"
moulding is a cheap imitation of gilt work made by lacquering over the
surface of a white metallic foil. German artisans are also very
successful in the preparation of imitation of veneers of rosewood,
mahogany, walnut and other ornamental woods. The more expensive
mouldings are either in wood (such as oak or mahogany), in veneers of
any expensive ornamental wood, or real gilt.

A brief outline of the method of making a gilt frame, enriched with
composition ornaments, may be taken as a characteristic example of the
operations of the frame-maker. The foundation of such a frame is soft
pine wood, in which a moulding of the required size and section is
roughly run. To prevent warping the moulding is, or ought to be, made
from two or more pieces of wood glued together. The moulding is
"whitened up," or prepared for gilding by covering it with repeated
coatings of a mixture of finely powdered whiting and size. When a
sufficient thickness of the whitening mixture has been applied, the
whole surface is carefully smoothed off with pumice-stone and
glass-paper, care being taken to keep the angles and curves clear and
sharp. Were a plain gilt moulding only desired, it would now be ready
for gilding; but when the frame is to be enriched it first receives the
composition ornaments. Composition, or "