Important 20th C Hand Carved Modernist Picture Frame Midtown Frame Shop 24 x 20

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Important 20th C Hand Carved Modernist Picture Frame Midtown Frame Shop 24 x 20

About the Item

An important and rare early to mid 20th century circa 1940's American hand carved, paint finished Modernist style picture frame. The rabbet size (size that holds the art) is 24.5" wide by 20.5" high with the liner and 26" wide by 22" high without the liner. The sight size (size that shows the art) is 23.5" wide by 19.5" high with the liner and 25.25" wide by 21.25" high without the liner. The outside measurements of the frame are 31.5" wide by 27.5" high by 2.75" deep. The frame can be positioned either horizontally or vertically. And of course, this frame size is always perfect for a mirror. The outside edge is flat and leads into a slanted cove with a carved cross hatch design. That then leads into a carved lozenge design and then a flat panel that culminates in a gold decorated raised and carved sight edge. There is an original linen liner. The back of the frame shows a thick and deep construction with mitered corners. There is a stamp verso that reads 'Midtown Frame Shop'. The surface shows minor wear and losses adding to the character and charm of this antique frame. William Morris is quoted as saying, “Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” For me, this directly applies to the picture frame. The frame is at once both useful and beautiful. It holds, protects and enhances the art. The picture frame and its design elements are also tied to architecture and furniture. Many of the ornamentation and decoration elements on frames are also found on the facades of buildings as well as on tables and chairs. It is for this reason, that frames were also considered as furniture. There are many famous artists and architects who designed their own picture frames including Edgar Degas, James McNeill Whistler, John Marin, Charles Prendergast, Georgia O'Keeffe, Stanford White among others. And since you're still reading, I'd love to share a little about my love of picture frames. We will need to travel back over twenty years. It was 2002, I had moved to New York City with the dream of becoming an antique dealer. With a six month sublet and six hundred dollars, I set out into the City that Never Sleeps. It was here that I happened upon the world famous 26th Street flea market. Every weekend dealers brought their freshest finds and the buyers lined up with flash lights in hand to buy them. I had found my passion in antique and period picture frames. Soon thereafter I established myself as a serious dealer in fine picture frames and found my clients throughout the coveted Upper East Side and all along upper Madison Avenue. With a selection of frames on my shoulder and a swipe of my MetroCard I was transported from my studio apartment in the West Village to another world. A world of Picassos and Kandinskys, Cassatts and Sargents, Titians and Tintorettos... it was magical. I was hooked. Still am. And I hope you are too!

Dimensions:
Height: 27.5 in (69.85 cm)Width: 31.5 in (80.01 cm)Depth: 2.75 in (6.99 cm)
Style:
Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Wood
Place of Origin:
United States
Period:
Mid-20th Century
Date of Manufacture:
1940's
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. In good vintage / antique condition with age appropriate wear. Some minor surface losses. Frame is structurally sound.
Seller Location:
Atlanta, GA
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU7240237827782