Tanjore Painting Framing in Hillsborough, NJ
Conservation Framing for South Asian Religious Art
Conservation framing for Tanjore (Thanjavur) paintings and other South Asian religious art at our Somerset, NJ frame shop, 12 minutes from Hillsborough. We have framed dozens of Tanjore pieces for families in Hillsborough, Somerset, Edison, South Brunswick, Princeton, Robbinsville, Monroe Township, and the broader Central NJ Indian community, including families connected to the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham in Robbinsville, the largest Hindu temple outside India. Our framing approach respects the gold leaf work, embedded semi-precious stones, dimensional gesso elements, and religious significance of these pieces.
Tanjore paintings require specific conservation considerations that standard frame shops do not handle. Authentic Tanjore work traditionally uses 22-karat gold foil, though commercial pieces made today may use gold-leafed silver, imitation foil, or gold paper for the embossing. We frame all of these the same way, since the conservation needs are driven by the raised relief surface and the wood panel substrate, not the metal. The painted surface includes raised gesso work that requires shadow box depth, not flat framing. The natural pigments are light-sensitive, so placement away from direct daylight and an appropriate glazing selection matter for pieces displayed in sunny rooms. We discuss all of these considerations in person before building the frame. Most Tanjore framing projects finish in 3-5 business days.
Hillsborough families trust CustomPictureFrames.com for Tanjore painting framing. Located in Somerset, NJ, we serve Hillsborough and surrounding areas with custom-cut frames in any size, framer's grade acrylic glazing (with non-glare acrylic available as an upgrade), and 3-5 business days turnaround on standard orders. Tanjore paintings require deep-profile frames (typically 1.5 to 3 inches) to accommodate raised gold-leaf and gemstone work, with spacers to keep glazing off the surface. Local pickup at our frame shop is available by appointment for customers who prefer to skip shipping. Open the frame designer to enter your exact dimensions.
Start your Tanjore frame design here. Walk in with the piece for in-person consultation, just 12 minutes from Hillsborough.
The live frame designer with real-time pricing is ready. It covers every configuration this page describes:
Shadow Boxes
Custom Picture Frames
Canvas Frames
What Makes Tanjore Painting Framing Different
Tanjore paintings carry physical and conservation characteristics that generic frame shops do not address. Four things drive a Tanjore frame build, and we walk through each one with you in person before construction starts.
Gold leaf and dimensional elements
Tanjore paintings feature gold foil work, dimensional gesso relief, and often embedded semi-precious stones (rubies, emeralds, or glass approximations in less expensive pieces). Traditional Tanjore pieces use 22-karat gold foil. Many contemporary pieces, including those created after the 2007 Geographical Indication tag, use gold-leafed silver, imitation foil, or gold paper. We frame both with the same approach; the construction and framing requirements are the same regardless of the gold source. These elements project forward from the painted surface, sometimes by half an inch or more. Standard flat framing presses these elements against the glass, which damages the gold leaf, cracks the gesso, and can dislodge embedded stones over time. We frame Tanjore pieces in shadow box configurations with depth appropriate to the dimensional work: 1 to 1.5 inches for a standard piece, up to 2 inches for larger work with extensive jewelry detail. The shadow box keeps the painted surface protected from glass contact while displaying the gold leaf and dimensional work as they were meant to be viewed.
Conservation matting and backing
Acidic mat board releases acids that yellow the painted surface over decades, dulling colors and discoloring the white gesso work. We use acid-free, lignin-free archival mat board for all Tanjore framing projects. The backing material matters too: many Tanjore paintings are painted on cloth-wrapped wood panels, and the wood requires breathing space to prevent moisture damage and warping. We use archival foam core backing with appropriate ventilation, not pressed-board or particleboard backing that traps moisture against the wood. For pieces with raised gesso, we use spacer strips between the matting and the painting surface so the dimensional elements have room without contacting the mat.
Glazing selection
Tanjore paintings use natural pigments that are sensitive to light, with red pigments particularly vulnerable. The most important preservation moves happen at the materials level: acid-free archival matting, reversible hinge mounting, breathable backing, and spacer construction so the glazing never touches the dimensional gold-leaf or gesso work. For glazing, we offer two tiers: framer's grade acrylic is our standard and is appropriate for north-facing or interior rooms with minimal direct sunlight. Non-glare acrylic is our upgrade and cuts reflection in bright or heavily lit rooms, which makes it the option we usually recommend for south-facing or window-adjacent placement where glare is a daily viewing problem. For heirloom pieces that may be moved or rehoused across generations, the acrylic substrate is also lighter and safer than glass.
Reversible mounting
Tanjore paintings are typically heirloom pieces that may be reframed, restored, or rehoused multiple times across generations. We use reversible mounting techniques that hold the painting securely without permanent adhesive contact with the painted surface or the panel back. T-hinges, corner pockets, and Japanese paper hinges (in some cases) allow the painting to be removed from the frame without damage if needed for restoration, appraisal, or eventual rehousing. Standard frame shops sometimes use permanent adhesive mounting, which makes the painting impossible to remove safely. For pieces that may need to be passed down or restored over decades, reversible mounting is the only correct approach.
For pieces with significant religious or monetary value, we work with conservators familiar with South Asian religious art when restoration or appraisal questions arise. For any antique, high-value, or visibly damaged piece, we recommend a consultation with a paintings or textile conservator through the American Institute for Conservation's Find a Conservator directory before framing.
What Hillsborough and NJ Indian Families Bring to Our Shop
A short list of the Tanjore and South Asian art projects that come through the door most often. Categories overlap, and many projects combine two or three.
Classical Tanjore paintings
Tanjore paintings most commonly depict Hindu deities, including Krishna, Rama, Lakshmi, Ganesha, Vishnu, Shiva, and Murugan, but the tradition also includes saints and Bhakti figures (Saint Thyagaraja, Purandara dasa, the Alvars and Nayanmars), Maratha royal portraits and court scenes, the Ten Sikh Gurus, and 19th-century Company School works depicting castes, occupations, flora, and fauna. Both the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and the Government Museum in Chennai hold examples beyond the dominant Hindu devotional subjects. Pieces range from small bedroom-altar size (8x10 inches) to large family-room centerpieces (24x36 inches or larger). Gold foil work, semi-precious stone embellishments, and dimensional gesso relief are the defining technical elements regardless of subject matter.
Wedding and housewarming gifts
Tanjore paintings given as wedding gifts, housewarming gifts (griha pravesham), or anniversary commemorations. Often purchased on trips to India or commissioned from artists in Tamil Nadu, then brought to NJ to be framed. We work with customers to coordinate framing as part of a broader home celebration timeline.
Inherited family pieces
Tanjore paintings passed down from parents or grandparents in India to second-generation Indian American families in NJ. These pieces often arrive needing both framing and conservation assessment because they may have been stored in suboptimal conditions for years. We discuss conservation considerations honestly, including when we recommend consulting a restoration specialist before framing.
Other South Asian religious art
Beyond Tanjore specifically, we frame Mysore paintings (the South Indian sister tradition from Karnataka), Madhubani paintings from Bihar, Pichwai paintings from Rajasthan depicting Krishna as Shrinathji, Pattachitra scrolls from Odisha, and Kalamkari textile-based art from Andhra Pradesh. Each tradition has specific conservation considerations and we adjust our approach accordingly. For a broader overview of our South Asian art framing services across these traditions, visit our South Asian Art Framing in Central NJ page.
Contemporary Indian art
Contemporary paintings, prints, and posters of Indian themes including modern interpretations of religious subjects, Bollywood-related art, Indian landscape paintings, and family portraits in Indian styles. These pieces have less stringent conservation requirements than antique Tanjore work but benefit from the same archival materials approach.
Personal devotional pieces
Smaller devotional images, blessed photographs from temple visits, images of family gurus or religious teachers, and similar pieces that families want framed for home altar (puja) spaces. These framings often require specific aesthetic considerations to match the altar setup and the religious context.
If you have a Tanjore painting or other South Asian religious art that needs framing, bring the piece to our Somerset showroom or call ahead to discuss. We will design a framing approach that respects the cultural and conservation considerations specific to your piece.
Why Hillsborough Indian Families Choose Our Somerset Shop
A few reasons that bring Hillsborough families back to our Somerset facility for second and third projects.
Proximity
Our Somerset facility is 12 minutes from central Hillsborough via Amwell Road or Hamilton Street. For families in the Belle Mead, Skillman, and broader Hillsborough Township area, we are typically closer than driving into New Brunswick or down to Princeton. Many Hillsborough customers combine the visit with errands along Route 206 or Easton Avenue.
On-site manufacturing
We manufacture every frame on-site at our Somerset production facility. This matters for Tanjore framing specifically because shadow box depths appropriate for gold leaf and gesso work are rarely stock sizes. A 16x20 Tanjore painting needing 1.5 inches of depth with conservation-appropriate moulding would be a custom order at most NJ frame shops, taking 3 to 4 weeks. We build it in 3-5 business days at our facility.
South Asian art experience
We have framed dozens of Tanjore paintings and other South Asian religious art for the Central NJ Indian community. The materials are stocked: archival mat board, framer's grade acrylic glazing, conservation-grade mounting supplies, and shadow box mouldings suitable for dimensional religious art. Our framers understand the specific considerations that distinguish Tanjore framing from generic art framing.
Conservation-grade materials as standard
For religious and heirloom pieces, conservation-grade materials are not upcharges or special requests in our work. Acid-free matting, acrylic glazing, reversible mounting, and breathable backing are standard practice for any piece of cultural or religious significance. The conservation approach is built into the project from the start.
Cultural respect
We treat Tanjore paintings and other South Asian art as the heirloom pieces they are. Some customers approach these pieces as religious art with sacred significance; others are collectors who value Tanjore primarily as fine art. We adapt the consultation to your context. If you want to bring family members or religious advisors to the conversation, we welcome that, and we accommodate multi-stakeholder decisions without rushing the process. For Hillsborough customers who also need framing for non-Tanjore work, our general picture framing in Hillsborough, NJ page covers the broader catalog.
The trip: 12 minutes via Amwell Road or Hamilton Street. Easy access from Belle Mead, Skillman, Neshanic Station, and broader Hillsborough Township. For Hillsborough Indian community events, our flexible scheduling accommodates evening and Saturday consultations that work around family and religious obligations.
Moulding and Matting for Tanjore Work
Our Tanjore framing typically uses warm wood mouldings (honeyed oak, walnut, or rich brown finishes) that complement the gold leaf work without competing with it. Black mouldings can read too modern for traditional Tanjore aesthetics. Gold-finish mouldings risk overwhelming the gold leaf work in the painting itself. The matting is typically conservation white or warm ivory rather than colored mats, which keeps focus on the painting rather than the framing surrounding it.
For pieces with significant religious value, we also discuss optional elements like discrete brass nameplates identifying the deity depicted, the artist if known, or a family inscription. These are optional and depend on whether the piece is destined for a temple-altar space (where identification matters less) or a living space (where context for non-family viewers is helpful).
How Tanjore Painting Framing Works at Our Somerset Shop
Every Tanjore framing project is designed in person after we see the painting. The shadow box depth needed depends on the specific dimensional work in your piece. The moulding choice depends on the painting's color palette, your home or altar context, and your personal aesthetic preferences. The glazing tier depends on where the painting will display and how much sunlight exposure it will see. These decisions affect both the build and what it costs.
Use the designer above to configure a shadow box with your specific dimensions, depth, and material preferences. The designer calculates real-time pricing as you build, so you can see exactly what your configuration costs before you commit. For Tanjore pieces specifically, we strongly recommend bringing the painting to the showroom for in-person consultation rather than ordering blind. The dimensional work and conservation considerations are difficult to assess from photos alone.
Process & timing
Walk in any weekday between 9am and 4pm, or book an evening or Saturday slot for dedicated consultation. Standard turnaround is 3-5 business days. Rush service available when you book ahead for housewarming gifts, wedding deadlines, or religious occasions.
Payment
Cash, check, all major credit cards. 50% deposit on larger orders. Balance due when you pick up the finished piece.
Drive Times from Hillsborough and Central New Jersey
Our shop at 6 Shirley Avenue sits just off Easton Avenue (Route 527), 5 to 30 minutes from most of the Hillsborough area and the surrounding Central NJ Indian community via Amwell Road, Hamilton Street, Route 206, and Route 287. Approximate drive times during off-peak hours:
For Hillsborough Indian families, our Somerset facility is typically the closest specialty framing option for South Asian religious art. We accommodate flexible scheduling that works around family and religious obligations: evening consultations, Saturday appointments by booking, and quiet sessions where multiple family members can be present during the design conversation. Call ahead at 1 (800) 916-8770 to discuss your piece before bringing it in if you want to verify we are the right fit for your specific painting.
Common Questions About Tanjore Painting Framing
Do you specialize in framing Tanjore (Thanjavur) paintings?
What makes Tanjore painting framing different from regular art framing?
Can you frame a Tanjore painting with raised gold leaf and gesso work?
Do you frame other South Asian religious art like Madhubani or Pichwai?
How long does Tanjore painting framing take?
How do you protect a Tanjore painting from fading?
Can family members attend the framing consultation?
Do you handle inherited or older Tanjore pieces that may need conservation?
Bring Us Your Tanjore Painting
Walk in any weekday between 9am and 4pm at 6 Shirley Avenue, Somerset, NJ. We are 12 minutes from central Hillsborough. Bring the painting, or photos and dimensions if you would rather discuss the project first. Book an evening or Saturday slot through our online scheduling if you need a quieter consultation or want family members present during the design conversation. For housewarming gifts, wedding commemorations, religious occasions, or simply because you want the piece preserved properly, calling ahead lets us coordinate the timeline carefully. We treat Tanjore paintings as the heirloom artwork they are, whether they hold religious significance for your family or are part of a fine-art collection.