Antique Picture Frames
Posted by Gill Jones on 15/10/2013
"If a picture paints a thousand words then why can’t I paint you?" Corny, yes? Well as it happens we’re not really talking paintings today, but those beautiful surrounding parts, the bit player in a much bigger picture, known as the frame. You may not always pay much attention to them, however, they always finish a painting or picture off rather well and without them a picture wouldn’t really say very much at all. They may seem little more than the decorative edging surrounding a much more exciting scene within, but they make all the difference.
It is much easier to frame a picture than it is to frame a painting, especially those paintings where the picture on view extends to the very edge of the canvas. This is known as gallery-wrap. A poster or a picture is a much easier proposition as it can be snipped nicely to fit the frame. You couldn’t quite do that with a Rembrandt.
Picture frames have mostly been made of wood and still are, however many smaller frames are now made of silver, plastics and bronze. Some older frames are initially made from wood and then covered in a type of plaster that’s been moulded and gilded to fit. Picture frames can do all sorts of things and they can come in all shapes and sizes. But let’s not get too technical here. All you need know is that without a frame your picture, print or painting isn’t that exciting. Its needs that finishing off, it needs to be corralled in by a decorative frame captured at the centre of a wooden edging.
Of course it isn’t just pictures, prints and paintings that are framed, mirrors have them too and in earlier blogs we have seen some of the most exquisite frames, none more so than the 19th century antique Victorian gilt wood and gesso frame wall mirror overmantle. Although there are chips and knocks to the initial frame it still has a particular charm and is delicately patterned all through the length of the frame with leaves and flowers.
There is a particularly mysterious and ghostly painting with the most magnificent frame on www.antiques.co.uk with two ladies sitting for tea; the frame is thick, gold and ornate. They’re indoors; perhaps in the bedroom, they look happy. There is always a certain eeriness to a picture, print or painting of something that old, more so with pictures, people who seem frozen in time, what were they sharing, why were they smiling? The frame is gilt and seems to be have been an ideal choice to frame this captivating scene.
Finally, we have the most magnificent frame surrounding a military portrait of a grenadier guard in red tunic and medals. This fine painting comes in its original decorative plaster gilt frame. It’s from the beginning of the century and it is likely that the soldier served in the Boer War and the First World War if we are to take note from his medals.
Frames can be quite exquisite and the further back we go the more elaborate they become. Mirror frames can be equally beautiful and they certainly can transform a room. A picture can capture a million different scenes or moods but the frame will hold it together for an eternity.