Removing caked on "dust " from an intricate antique frame, any suggestions?

I'm sitting here looking at a gorgeous hand-tinted photo of my grandmother from the 1916 World's Fair. I've wanted this beauty from the time I can remember it hanging on gram & grampa's apartment wall.

The problem is, I started cleaning it just a bit but it has "caked on" dust (if that makes sense) all over it. What I've discovered is that after a little gentle work with a damp baby toothbrush is that it is a gorgeous bronze patina underneath.

It has some pretty intricate Art Nouveau scrollwork and is a pretty hard wood.

FWIW, it's been sitting in a relative's stockpile of stuff they have been supposed to share and it's been terribly neglected.

Thanks in advance.

gesso. This product is a plaster compound made in an intricately designed mold and applied to a wood frame base. Usually gold, silver or bronze leaf is applied to the design, creating an elegant face of the frame. Whether it is wood or gesso, you should be careful cleaning it because the leaf applied to the frame is so thin that it will rub away with too much scrubbing. If gesso, do not use water on it because it will sink through the material and damage the plaster.

To clean a gesso surface, use rubbing alcohol on a q-tip or cotton ball. It evaporates quickly but will give you enough time to wipe the old grunge off without soaking in.

If the frame is really wood, a simple mild soap and warm water solution, wiping in small areas without soaking should do the trick. Test the frame in an inconspicuous area to make sure the surface is not shellac. Shellac will turn white when touched with water. An old varnished surface would be ideal.

These old frames are works of art and if in good shape, can be fairly valuable. Enjoy your project.

On Edit: Remove anything from the frame before you clean it, you will run the risk of damage if you try to work around the picture. Moisture travels and will surely touch your picture.

actually. Some of the surface has come off in the corners which doesn't bother me--I'm planning to hold onto this and give it to my son and so on. I'll try the alcohol first.

I really appreciate your info. This portrait is just beautiful and just needs a bit of TLC.

These old frames had many different surface treatments. Many were leafed in gold, silver and other metals. Some were leafed and then 'antiqued' with paint or even a chemical. Some were painted a metal color (most usually, gold) and then painted over to give the appearance of a patina.

If you know a good antiques dealer, perhaps they could give you some better info having seen it up close and personal.

As for the 'art' of leafing .... it really isn't that hard at all. Any good crafts store probably has what you need.

would probably do it for you, if you chicken out.

It does appear to have some "leafing" to it, as I remove more of the dirt I'll see if I want to do more.

What little I've managed to accomplish is quite impressive as is.

Thanks for all the advice!