Antique oval picture frame | Salvator Rosa

Reproduction of a Roman antique oval picture frame carved and gilt on ayous. This is one of our best models of vintage oval picture frames belonging to the late Baroque style. It appeared first in Rome in the late 17th century and spread in different versions through the south of Italy.

Properties of vintage oval picture frames

This vintage oval picture frame is made of ayous and tulipwood combined. As a result, we obtain a significant strength with a low weight. Indeed, weight is not a good feature in this type of craftwork.

You can order this frame with a custom size. As the painting should be an oval, draw its perimeter on a piece of paper and send it to us. That is the best way to create a precise sight for the painting. When you insert your artwork into the frame, the painting and frame will match perfectly.

Section width cm 9.5
Rabbet cm 1

Antique oval picture frame decorations

Decorations are typically in Roman style, precisely the ones of a Maratta or Salvator Rosa frame. Its profile is made of convex and concave surfaces split by three different types of carvings. Plus, four corner decorations enrich the style following the shape of the oval sight.

This Baroque oval frame is named after the 17th-century famous Neapolitan painter Salvator Rosa, even if it has not much connection with him. The connection could be because there are many Salvator Rosa paintings framed with this model. Therefore, we don’t think this model is a source of the creativity of Salvator Rosa himself. We think instead, that its style is derived from the section of a Doric column. 

The carving of this antique oval picture frame is in wood pulp. We prepare this innovative material using recycled wood, glue, and solvents. First, we insert it manually into the molds, then we extract and mount it on the frame. When it gets dry, we carve and gild it by using our master’s touch.

This procedure saves many hours of manual work and lets us obtain extraordinary results. Follow the link below to see a video of the full carving process in place. Even if in the video we are carving another frame model: cod. 04, it is still representative of our innovative technique. Be aware that it is not just innovative and eco-friendly, but allows us to maintain the prices of our goods pretty affordable. Follow the link to our YouTube channel: wood pulp carving 

Patina (aging process)

“Patina” is an Italian word that refers to how dark and old look to be the frame. Apart from dark gold, the age of a frame is determined by a few cracks and tiny broken parts all around the sides. For this purpose, our gilder hits its surfaces with some kinds of stones.

Also, the wormholes are simulated as well, and you will be able to notice them by analyzing deeply the pictures above. The presence of wormholes does not indicate activity within or a recent flight of beetles. Remember that they were faked by us to specifically age this antique oval picture frame reproduction.

See below a video showing all the steps of the Patina.

More videos related to the aging process 

Explanation of the aging process
Distressing the gold surface
Rub off the gilding
Dark shellac
Applying shellac
Final result

Cheaper vintage oval picture frames

See below for antique round frame reproductions that can be realized with oval shapes.