The conservation and restoration of frames is the process through which they are preserved. Frame conservation and restoration includes general cleaning of the frame, as well as in depth processes such as replacing damaged ornamentation, gilding, and toning.

The purpose of frames is two-fold; they function to protect and support the artwork as well as to visually enhance the piece. Frames help us appreciate and understand its role as it relates to the history of the painting. Original frames are often considered museum objects in their own right. As such, frames are subject to wear and tear in their functional roles as a protective component of the artwork. Regular activities that require the handling of artwork and their frames, such as exhibition, storage or travel, leave the frame susceptible to damage and must therefore be treated.