Milled from heavy 5/4 quarter-sawn white oak to a finished 1 inch thickness, this frame is built to support heavy ceramic art tiles from makers such as Motawi, Rookwood, and Grueby, as well as antique Arts & Crafts tiles. The Medium size accommodates single large tiles (such as 10x10 inches) or two-tile horizontal or vertical pairings up to 35 united inches (combined outer length plus width).
Design & Joinery
Each frame features hand-fitted mortise and tenon joinery to provide a rigid mechanical bond capable of supporting heavy ceramic art without sagging over time.
Surface Prep & Ammonia Fuming
Hand-Scraped Finish: Surface preparation is completed using bench planes and cabinet scrapers rather than power sanders. Slicing the wood fibres cleanly leaves the medullary ray fleck in the white oak clear and sharp.
Ammonia Fuming: Rather than using surface stains, the deep brown colour is achieved through traditional ammonia fuming. Ammonia reacts directly with the natural tannins in the white oak, causing the wood tone to shift visually under different natural lighting conditions throughout the day. Any sapwood is pre-treated with natural tea tannins and aniline dye so it reacts evenly alongside the heartwood.
Finish: Joined with traditional hot hide glue, sealed with clear dewaxed shellac, and finished with hand-rubbed natural beeswax.
Backing, Hardware & Tile rebate
Dimensional Stability: Built with a furniture-grade plywood back panel rather than solid wood. Tile frames require the structural stability of plywood to prevent seasonal wood movement from cracking brittle ceramic.
Hardware: Fitted with heavy-duty recessed Italian cabinet hangers and solid brass turn buttons for a flush wall mount.
Custom Rebate Depth: Internal rebates are routed to the precise thickness of your specific tile (typically 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch) for a flush fit. Please include your exact tile dimensions and thickness in the order notes so the rear rebate can be cut correctly.
Production Lead Time & Delivery
Lead Time: Handcrafted to order in my Toronto workshop. Please allow 5 to 6 weeks for milling, joinery, fuming, and hand finishing prior to dispatch.
US Shipping: Dispatched via Delivered Duty Paid (DDP). All applicable import duties and customs clearance handling fees are calculated and collected directly at checkout, ensuring delivery with zero unexpected charges.
UK & European Union: Dispatched via tracked international air mail under preferential trade agreement duty-free status. Import VAT and local postal handling fees are assessed by your national postal authority upon arrival.
Canadian Shipping: Flat-rate tracked delivery across Canada.
Local Pickup: Available at the workshop in Scarborough Bluffs, Toronto. Select local pickup at checkout or contact the workshop to arrange a time.
