A Century Old Match, Made at Bonfoey Gallery: Custom Framing for Tom Overmyer

  • At Bonfoey Gallery, we’re often trusted with meaningful projects, but few carry the emotional weight and historical depth of Tom Overmyer’s framing request.

     

    Tom came to us with two companion paintings by his grandfather, David H. Overmyer, a Topeka artist whose work appeared on the covers of Household Magazine in 1932 and 1933. One of the paintings, rescued from a studio fire in the 1950s, lost its original frame. The companion painting, still in its original 1920's frame, needed a historically accurate match.

  • Pictured: On the left, the original framed piece from the late 1920s/early ’30s. On the right, the companion piece framed by Bonfoey Gallery nearly a century later.
  • Using the original as a reference, Bonfoey’s artisans crafted a nearly identical frame, complete with red patina, gold leaf, and...

    Using the original as a reference, Bonfoey’s artisans crafted a nearly identical frame, complete with red patina, gold leaf, and early 20th-century structural detailing. “They look as if they could have been originally framed on the same day,” Tom said. “The frame Bonfoey created is stunning.”

     

    More than a visual match, it was a deeply personal preservation. “It’s an investment with time, money, love, and the preservation of my grandfather’s works,” Tom shared. “The money I spent was so well worth it.”

     

    Even the installation left a lasting impression: “Your installer was wonderful, she was so helpful and great. They just look beautiful and I couldn’t be happier.”

     

    When asked to sum up the experience in three words, Tom chose: Trustworthy, respect, and overjoyed. “I instantly trusted them. Olga was a great communicator and introduced me to the artisans doing the work. I respect the level of their craftsmanship, and I’m overjoyed with the outcome.”