Antique Oval Picture Frames
We specialize in antique oval picture frames for sale, available in any size. Our vintage oval picture frames can be customized as clients wish, and mainly, we manufacture custom reproductions with rectangular external shapes and oval internal sight. We usually recommend this kind of structure as they are cheaper and more practical. As a result of this choice, the price turns out to be more convenient because you get a more decorated and prominent frame for a lower price.
On one hand, oval picture frames vintage, with a complex profile of concave and convex moldings applied circularly, are challenging to build. On the other hand, models made with a wooden oval passepartout fixed inside the rectangular frame are easier to realize because it is just a matter of adding a flat wood element inside a regular frame.
We often recommend the above described type of shape to museums like Staatliche Museen (Gemäldegalerie). The artwork, all together with a more oversized frame, gives us the chance to insert a major number of decorations in the flat corner surfaces. Look at the model above, which was used to frame a painting of Salvator Rosa.
vintage OVAL PICTURE FRAMES WITH RECTANGULAR EDGE
Our preference for reproducing oval picture frames vintage with rectangular external forms derives from a practical reason. That is because the flat wooden passepartout is the only feature necessary to add to the overall structure. In essence, that is the only extra work to apply for a transformation of a rectangular frame to an oval one. The rectangular frame, indeed, is made as usual, while the wooden flat oval part will be cut by using a simple saw following the painting sight.
This technique is extremely easy to apply. We first proceed with creating the passe-partout made of a flat MDF, then we fix it by gluing it inside the rectangular frame, and the two structures become a single solid piece.
The second step of this procedure is to decorate the four flat corners of the added part. We usually put on those empty spaces four angular decorations with the same style as the other carvings. The last step of the procedure is to gild the whole raw surface homogeneously and create a patina to age the gilding altogether. See, as an example of this work, the old oval frames displayed above on this page.
Antique oval frames with external oval edge
Making antique oval frames with an external oval shape is both complicated and dangerous. Apart from the fact that there is a lot of work to do, especially for wide-section profiles, to accomplish the task, we first need to realize a flat oval piece of wood, thick and wide enough to be molded by a router.
Working with the router to realize circular profiles is quite risky. Upon request, we do it, but clients have to be aware of the higher cost of this technique. The second step of the procedure of manufacturing antique oval frames is to apply the ornamentations on the naked profile, giving it the final touch to become a masterpiece. Even though we can make antique oval frames completely circular, we try to address our clients to the simplest and most convenient practice described above.
Oval external shapes for specific paintings
Of course, there are specific paintings that, for an aesthetic reason, need antique oval frames without passepartout. Before the 17th century, flat wood profiles were widely used. For example, during the Gothic period, building altarpieces with plenty of flat surfaces in contrast with intricate motifs was pretty common. They were used to create the sophisticated structures of Gothic panels like diptych, triptych, and polyptych. In contrast, the Renaissance era had fewer examples of those types of structures, and most Renaissance models, indeed, are circular as our cod. 105.
Oval vs rectangular edge for antique oval frames
You can tell by yourself that the amount of material used to make the cod. 105 is much less than the material used for a frame with a larger structure like our model cod. 023 (Salvator Rosa oval frame). However, cod. 105, even with less wood and gold, is more complicated to realize due to the more complex process of realization.
With that said, we need you to be aware that both models could be realized in the opposite way. The frame cod. 105 could have external rectangular edges and cod. 023 could have an outer oval edge. The two models would still remain perfectly legitim. As a result, the sober 105 would become richer while the cod. 023 would become sober. This is just to underline the real difference between the two approaches and maybe to induce us to wonder: Is it still worth going for oval external edges?
WHAT WE NEED TO REALIZE OVAL PICTURE FRAMES VINTAGE
We do both realize antique oval picture frames and round frames. We want to make an essential distinction, though, that it can come in handy for our clients. To manufacture antique round frames, we need just the diameter of the artwork. To realize custom oval picture frames instead, we need to have the perfect shape of the painting drawn on paper. Therefore, to accomplish an ideal result, it is better to send the drawing of the artwork perimeter via traditional mail.
No matter how big it’ll be the drawing, we will unfold it on the floor to use it as a reference to create the sight size of the frame 5 mm smaller than the painting itself. If necessary, we can even create rabbets (overlap), much broader. That’s just up to the client’s need. Indeed, if a painting has to be covered more than 0.5 cm all around the perimeter, there won’t be any problem for us.
VINTAGE OVAL PICTURE FRAMES AT A LOW COST
Even though our primary mission is to deliver exclusive reproductions of antique oval picture frames, for a decade now, we have developed a cheaper production of frames. Our solution to lower the prices is delivering vintage oval picture frames rich in decorations, but still affordable for a vast stratum of clients. For this purpose, it is more valid than ever to use external rectangular edges.
Oval picture frames vintage realized in an eclectic style
We have a catalog with more than 1000 moldings in length that you can pick from to build inexpensive vintage oval picture frames. Most of the profiles shown in our catalog are in modern style, but still, you can find at least 100 models with different section widths and finishes that you can always buy as oval picture frames vintage.
Pick any model, and we will craft either contemporary style frames or vintage oval picture frames with the same care we use for our most expensive models displayed above.