Carved picture frame - early Australian

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I was offered this a while ago and now would like to clean , protect and use. I'm looking for advice on safely cleaning the frame and then how to protect. I would really like to use Danish oil but unsure. Also can anybody tell me about the carving? Was it just decorative? Was it done by hand? When would they have done this? Thanks for looking and advice given.

Full frame.jpgCared edge.jpg

[auscab]

The decoration is the same sort of impression in the way Kangaroo chair backs (Aussie made) and US made chair backs were done around 1900 1920 with a rough guess. Its an impression done under weight or a clamping system and steam Ive read . Never seen it done but seen lots of it . That may have been a roller or done in set lengths ? So not Hand carved . You could clean and coat with oil or thin shellac . What ever gives the look you want . Taking it slow with a test or two is the way to go .

See chair backs here

pressed steam antique chair back - Google Search

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Thank you very much Auscab. So many things I've seen now make sense. Hopefully I can find something in it one day.