Q. I have found a watercolour which has been languishing
under wraps in our attic. It is by a well-known 18th-century artist and I would now like to put it to use in our drawing-room. The old 18th-century glass with which it was originally framed is wavy and attractive and I do not want to lose the charm of that rippled effect. On the other hand I have been informed that in order for the colours not to fade I need something called UV or ultraviolet glass which tends to give a very flat appearance. It is not that I am a snob — this is a purely aesthetic matter. How can I get around this, Mary?
A.A., Tetbury, Glos A. Others have solved this problem by combining both UV glass and antique. A painting is first given the protective layer of UV glass and on top of this the antique glass can be replaced, or indeed added, to give the charming rippled effect you mention without there being any hint that UV glass lies beneath. P.R. Elletson of Pewsey is a framer who can supply this service.
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