Antiquing is really easy, especially when you want to keep the same back ground color.

You can use umber colored Acrylic paint which is available at any craft store. Using a brush or soft cloth wipe on it on so it gets in the crevasses and then gently wipe off the excess so only the some of the crevasses are filled. I've also used dark shoe polish for this as well.

Since the frame you want to do this on is special and you've never done it before, I would first buy a cheap frame from a thrift store to practice with until you get the affect you want. Try to find one that has a lot of detail on it too and if it's dark, spray paint it a light color so you can see where you're antiquing is.

good advise above (practice before you jump in with the good frame!!) also if you add the color you choose (umber) to a glaze medium, it will give you more time to work with it, and will allow you to wipe it all off if you dont like how it looks. Just remember that it takes VERY little of the paint or stain etc mixed with the medium to do a small frame like this. Like litterally probably less than a teaspoon of color to a few teaspoons of medium

Thanks, I've heard of the burnt umber acrylic paint, and I agree that mixing it with a glazing medium will make it more forgiving and workable.

What a pretty frame!

I will echo lukkirish's suggestion of shoe polish. The old-fashioned, waxy kind that comes in a little tin?

I would suggest using at least two colors... maybe a light and a dark brown. Dab some onto the frame, and then rub off the "high" spots.

And when you get the effect you want, just let it dry for a couple of days, then spray it with clear acrylic coating -- glossy or matte, your choice.

The advantage of shoe polish is that you can take your time, since it dries very slowly, you can manipulate it easily, do and re-do till you get what you want.

Lindac - The frame's plaster was restored by the party who sold it, and it appears that the gold was brushed, versus sprayed, as there are some brush marks on the wood backing. I wouldn't mind removing the finish, but I'm afraid I may damage the plaster in the process, the details of which look great right now.

I too prefer a dark brassy color. I think I may need to take the earlier advice and practice on a cheap frame of some sort (with detailing, though) to see if I can achieve a nice effect.

I know there are some cool metallic spray paints out there, but the trick is to get it to look layered, which I think is typically a multi-step process, as you suggested.

mclarke - We must have been posting at the same time. I know the shoe polish you're talking about. It sounds like the simplest option. I would like the majority of the frame darker, with just highlights of gold (better yet, antique gold) showing through.

Beautiful job of restoring!!!
Ironically....those frames were originally painted white. With all that plaster detail it was impossible to apply gold leaf.....and gold spray paint didn't exist...:-)