Antique Picture Frames 1800s

This is a reproduction of an antique picture frame from the 1800s gilt on Swiss pine. This 19th-century model was also originally reproduced in France during the early 18th century. It is a typical Rococo French style frame that has become so popular among collectors, painters, and framers that it has been reproduced for over 150 years.

In other words, it is a frame model widely used for Rocaile master paintings or 19th-century artworks. It is available in any particular painting size, so it can fit any painting.

Antique picture frames 1800s properties

This reproduction of a French antique picture frame from the 1800s is made with Swiss pine and tulipwood. We use Swiss pine for the carved front side and tulipwood for the backside of the frame. As a result, we obtain maximum strength with minimum weight.

You can customize the rabbet width as you prefer. For instance, if you need to cover a bigger part of the painting, you can ask to enlarge it. The rabbet depth, instead, depends on the thickness of the painting. In most of our models, it is between 1.5 and 4 cm. Sometimes, it is even deeper due to structural reasons or upon request.

Section Width cm 13
Rabbet cm 1

360° presentation

Click on the video below to see this replica frame with a 360° overview.

Antique frame 1800s decorations

Our reproductions of antique picture frames from the 1800s have decorations made of wood pulp and carved by hand. This astonishing technique saves you a lot of money. However, new techniques are necessary to overcome the very high cost of traditional hand-carving.

During the last few years, we have done a lot of research to master a carving process that cuts off working time without affecting the high quality of the frame. In fact, when you look at this picture frame from the 1800s, you see astonishing decorations along the external edge and in the middle of the sides. They look hand-carved as if they were from an authentic French frame.

Using wood pulp, which is 99% composed of wood and 1% solvent, allows us to keep the price at a very low level. The entire process is handmade, and you can watch a video related to it by following this link to our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/fTQHIH9dRC8

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, and you will be able to notice them by analyzing the pictures above deeply. The presence of wormholes does not indicate activity within or a recent flight of beetles. Remember that we faked them to specifically age this French antique picture frame of the 1800s.

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 FRENCH PICTURE FRAME OF THE 1800S

See below for antique picture frames from the 1800s with similar structures but at a lower price.