Posted 12 years ago
Collectibl…
(83 items)
The photo in this frame ppears to be an "instant ancestor" photo. Possibly three married couples. After studying other antique dated photos I have seen similarities in their hair styles & clothing to photos dated primarily in the 1860's to late 1870's. Such as the way the ladies have parted their hair down the middle, the way the men have their hair combed back off to the side & their suits, the style/sleeves of the women's dresses, & the white lace around their necks.
The frame is a wonderful find. It is from the late 19th century & is constructed of a hard wood. Over the front of the frame is a thin layer of gesso. The gesso has been ebonized, gilded, & hand carved. The inner gilt layer of the frame is metal. The rest of the frame is wooden. There is a decorated square on each corner of the frame. The back of the frame appears to have it's original hardware. The frame backing is also hard wood.
Approximate measurements:
16" wide (40.6 cm) x 18" (45.7 cm) long (at the frame's widest points)
1" (2.5 cm) (the thickness of the frame)
The frame weighs a little over 3lbs (1.36 kg)
Love the frame!
The photo format and backdrop would put it in the 1870s- 1880s.
Often there is photographer or subject information on the back of the photographs. Carefully taking it apart may reveal some more information.
scott
Nice item; especially the Eastlake frame. As a bit of background, this style came about from the writings of architect Charles Locke Eastlake from his book: "Hints on Household Taste and Furniture, Upholstery, and other Details: The Claissic Handbook of Victorian Interior Decoration".
I started learning about Eastlake after finding out that one of my items has an Eastlake frame (a framer identified it when I had conservation glass added):
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/63104-1871-portrait-of-a-young-woman-by-frank
I love these frames. i think it's probably from around 1875 or a little later. this is a nice one!