Antique French Gilt Picture Frame, Art Nouveau, Circa 1900

An antique French gilt picture frame in the Art Nouveau manner, dating to circa 1895 to 1910. The ground is composition over wood, gilded to a warm honey tone that has aged to an honest antique patina. The ornament is organic and asymmetrical in the Art Nouveau vocabulary: flowing foliate scrolls fill the broad flat face, rope twist runs along the outer edge as a framing element, and scrolling acanthus-derived forms anchor the corners. The sight edge carries small cartouche panels. This is a substantial frame suited to a portrait, still life, or mirror in a 20 by 16 inch opening.

[d]Type | Picture frame, hanging

[d]Material | Composition over wood, oil gilded

[d]Origin | France

[d]Age | Circa 1895 to 1910, Art Nouveau period

[d]Style | Art Nouveau

[d]External size | 25.5 in W x 21.5 in H

[d]Sight size | 20 in W x 16 in H

[d]Ornament | Flowing foliate scrolls across face, rope twist outer edge, scrolling corner forms, cartouche sight edge panels

[condition]

The frame is in very good antique condition. The gilding is complete with no losses across the face, corners, or sight edge. The composition ornament is intact throughout with no chips or missing sections visible. The gilded surface shows honest age-appropriate patina and light surface wear consistent with a piece over one hundred years old, but presents warmly and reads as a cohesive gold surface. The back shows exposed wood and remnants of old paint or ground, which is entirely normal and expected for a frame of this age and construction. The hanging hardware should be inspected before use. Structurally sound.