Museum Replicas : The Process

Oilpaintings

Each reproduction is hand painted by one of the most talented reproduction artists in the world. Starting with a blank canvas each painting will take about 6 to 8 weeks, depending on how complicated the painting is. The whole process of painting, drying, stretching and framing takes 8 to 10 weeks.

Sculptures

Only authentic hand carving is performed, no routers or machine tools of any type are used.

Icons

Our icons are painted in Byzantine style. They are done the traditional way on properly prepared linden wood and painted with the egg tempera technique. They are gilded with 24K gold leaf.

Tapestries

All our wall hangings are hand-woven. From wool and /or silk, sometimes including gold or silver strands.

Our artists use two basic types of looms. A high warp and a low warp.

Warp yarns are stretched between two rollers. The low warp is worked in a horizontal position and the weaver sits or leans over the tapestry piece. As the work is completed, the tapestry is rolled toward the weaver.

Wide variations of bobbins, just as in the medieval and renaissance are still used by our artisans today.

Large tapestry pieces are unique, they create a dramatic effect. Weaving a wool tapestry 55" X 70" takes at least 2 months.

Silk tapestry weaving known, as kesi in Chinese, is an old and rarely practiced art form. It entails the intricate weaving by hand of decorative designs. A silk (kesi) wall hanging, 4.6Ft X 5.8Ft will take 2 people 6 months to finish.

Our workshop hopes to revive this rare art form and create truly unique artworks of outstanding quality and craftsmanship, creating what will become the antiques of tomorrow.