Restoration of Convex Portraits

Convex portraits were originally created either by an artist drawing, photograph, or a combination of both.  Charcoal highlighting, tinting, and framing into a tight convex bubble glass frame was a package presented by production shops that created such portraits from the late 1870's to mid 1930's.  They are often oval shaped, semi-circular, or rectangular with rounded edges.  Some were created flat without going through the extra step of being made into a convex form. 

These portraits were an investment that served an important piece of home decor, and require special care as they are so delicate that can easily crack or crumble into pieces if handled incorrectly.  Wiping, touching, or putting them onto a regular scanner can cause further damage, making the restoration work extensive.  

Deterioration of these portraits is a natural result of acidic material used in their construction, including backboard and mounting boards.  Added to their material deficiency, expansion and contraction of the piece that has spent about a century in a tight frame creates perfect condition for it to become brittle and eventually crumble, even if the image presently looks fine.  Gradual deterioration may also show in form of tiny pieces flaking off their surface.

The sooner the image is transferred into an archival medium for preservation the less effort it needs. 

At Old Town Photo Restoration Studio we can help preserve, restore, and replicate these images without any harm to the original.  Our unique process and equipment does not result in a distorted image unlike regular scan or image capture used.  We have restored numerous images of this sort and would love to assist you in your project.

Oval Convex Portrait created in 1920's

Oval Convex Portrait after restoration and archival print
rejoining, crack removal, spots removal, fade correction

Oval Convex Portrait created in 1910's

after restoration and making archival print in 8"x10"
rejoining, crack removal, spots removal, fade correction, revitalization of original air brushed colors

before restoration	after restoration and archival fine-art print

before restoration	after restoration and archival fine-art print