When I shared the living room curtains earlier this week, a few of you noticed the framed antique indenture hanging on the wall over the sofa. Well, let’s talk about this piece of custom-made art!
First off, let’s talk about what an indenture is since most of us are familiar with it only in terms of servitude. An indenture is simply a contract and the subject of that contract can be a variety of subjects including labor, marriage, property, settlements, and more. Second, you can find for a wide variety of prices but can get bargains for around $25. The price is based on the age, size, quality, and subject of the indenture. I bought mine from last year. I know she has more, so send her a message on her Instagram HERE if you’re interested in details.
My particular antique indenture is a marriage contract from 1842 and is multiple pages. I haven’t counted them, but it’s a pretty thick document when it’s all folded up. It is made out of vellum paper with the most delicious handwriting on it. Some of it is original to the document and there are addendums that were added over about 20 years.
As an aside, I love watching papers in the backdrop of period movies and shows. I think of Little Dorrit and the stacks of documents at the circumlocution office. Of course, bundling contracts, tying them in ribbon, and stacking them isn’t a very efficient filing system, but that yummy texture appeals to my visual sensibilities.
I knew I wanted this antique indenture framed, but it’s been folded for almost 180 years and those folds are deep. I also wasn’t sure if I wanted to remove a page from the whole document. They are stitched together so it’s not as simple as just pulling the pages apart. So, I kept it in my drawer with other antique papers that I might do something with someday. ‘
And then, in March, I toured my great aunt’s house in South Carolina and saw she had framed two antique indentures. The folds were still evident, but they were flattened enough to make it work. (You can see her house tour HERE.) This affirmed my instinct to frame my antique indenture.
So, one morning a couple of weeks ago, as I was taking some time to hang a few things, the antique indenture came to mind. It would be a nice size to hang over the sofa and I could envision it working well with everything else in the room. I went to the basement and located a frame I purchased this summer at a thrift store for $5.00…
I actually liked the print, but it was faded and I felt like I would enjoy something more unique. The frame itself was old and a very nice frame, so I was excited about filling it with something equally interesting. The antique indenture was close to a perfect fit.
I carefully pulled apart the top vellum layer, deciding that was the most impressive one to frame. I love the blue ribbon and, of course, the “this indenture” calligraphy. So, to get it smoothed out… Here’s where I went off the rails a bit and just decided to iron it. If I can’t flatten it out, what am I really going to do with it anyway? I put the iron on a cool setting and put a towel under it. I tried ironing it through a towel initially, but that didn’t do very much, so I threw caution to the wind and ironed the vellum directly. I worked on a small area first and gained some confidence to iron the entire document.
It didn’t flatten the folds completely, but it smoothed it out enough so that the antique indenture could be framed. I removed the faded print but left the white mat in to act as a border for the indenture.
And here is the result! I love how it turned out. When I bought the frame, I figured I would ditch the glass and use it for a painting, but it ended up being perfect for the antique indenture. I like that it’s quiet visually, but interesting. It’s something you want to lean into to see what it is. I also love how the blue ribbon stitched onto the document ties into the blue curtains and quilts.
I have a few more pages, so more of it might end up on the walls or in other projects! I still have a lot of art and photos to hang, but there’s a lot of wallpaper to strip as well as priming and painting to be done before I get too deep into hanging things.
It felt good to get this antique indenture framed and hung on the wall. One more small project checked of the list…
28 Responses
Love this! I can feel the history oozing out of it. Your whole room is coming together so nicely. I like the balance of masculine/feminine in the space. Gives it a lot of character.
It is lovely. Unique. And so interesting. It brought to mind some friends from many years ago who had a framed legal contract from the 17th century from Prague. Of course, I could not understand the words, but the writing was beautiful. The frame you have chosen for yours is perfect!
It looks beautiful Marian, it’s such fun finding these unique pieces for you and most rewarding seeing them enjoying another life. Thank you my friend x
Are you worried that the indenture will fade without the proper glass to protect it?
I always learn something new from you!
Was there a purpose to the blue ribbon?
As I understand it, it is the payment stamp.
So you did or didn’t use the glass with the frame???
I did use the glass.
Make sure the backing paper is acid free or it could hasten deterioration of the lovely indenture art
Yes, the mat board and paper are acid-free. The picture was professionally framed. There was backing on it along with a stamp for the framer.
So fascinated by this! I immediately started looking for one of my own, and got the best results searching “vellum indenture” on eBay. For anyone else looking, there’s an amazing, almost endless selection, with prices starting well under $20. I was able to find a marriage certificate just like this one for $25!
Love it! What is the purpose of the blue ribbon?
As I understand it, that is the payment stamp.
Please take the time to put proper UV glass and archival spacers in your $5 frame. You are a wonderful person but you need to take proper care of historical documents whether you think they are important or not. They would be very important if they were in the right hands.
Right now my historians heart is breaking.
Yep, eventually, I will do that. It’s not in direct sun, so I’m not too concerned about it in the short term.
The fact that it still has some of the folds visible lends more authenticity to it. If it was in perfect, flat, no dark spots it would look reproduced to me.
I agree!
Can I ask where you found that frame? I live in Md.
I got it at the Adams County Rescue Mission In Gettysburg, PA.
I love your blog because I always seem to learn some awesome bit of history so often here.
That is just so neat.
I love these old documents! Have you ever tried to trace the names on the settlement through Ancestry? I enjoy doing that kind of sleuthing… where did they live? How many children did they have? Did they enjoy long lives? It’s a bit of a time waster, but often very interesting!
No, I haven’t. I do that with some things, but I knew this would likely be a huge rabbit hole that I just don’t have time for!
Very Very nice Marian. You did a great job framing it. I thpught it was professionally done. It fits in to your room beautifully. Love all your updates keep them coming !
Love it!! Recently I came across my Grandparents on my Mother’s side marriage license. I treasure it! It’s in a gray antique frame that has a few nicks and pieces missing and it looks great. I can appreciate your love of those old documents too. Thanks for sharing.
Oh, what a treasure!
Your indenture looks so nice in that beautiful frame and hung on your wall! What a great piece of history you have. Marian, your home is looking so beautiful with all your personal touches. You have done so much in such a short time! Thanks for sharing with us!
Is that painted paneling on the walls? We have a townhouse built in the 60’s. Finished cheaply with paneling on one wall which I initially painted again with a lovely faux finish using corrugated cardboard for a stripe effect. It obscured the paneling grooves and actually worked quite well for many years until I demolished that wall. Think about it.