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Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames

MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE

Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.

ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW

ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS

VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS

The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.

Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively. 

Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer

Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.

The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by legendary manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.

As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.

Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.

As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.

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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Creator: Barovier&Toso
2000s Barovier Toso Italian Royal Blue Twisted Murano Glass Brass Picture Frame
Located in New York, NY
A sophisticated Venetian modern design vertical photo frame in thick blown Murano glass worked in a luscious deep blue jewel color, by Barovier Toso, signed piece. The elegant texture of the tightly twisted glass frame...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames

Materials

Brass

Murano Light Blue Photo Frame by Barovier e Toso
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage photo frame with hand blown clear and light blue Murano "Torciglione" glass border / Designed by Barovier e Toso circa 1960's / Original mark on frame / Made in Italy Measur...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames

Materials

Brass

2000 Barovier Toso Italian Gold Crystal Twisted Murano Glass Brass Picture Frame
Located in New York, NY
A sophisticated Venetian modern design vertical photo frame in thick blown Murano glass worked in a amber orange gold color, overlayed in crystal, by Barovier Toso Murano, signed piece. The elegant texture of the tightly twisted glass frame...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames

Materials

Brass

Barovier & Toso Brass and Murano Glass Picture Frame, Italy, 1950s
Located in Naples, IT
Twisted crystal and brass portrait holder made by Barovier & Toso of Murano, Italy. Barovier & Toso is the oldest Murano glassworks still in business and the sixth oldest company in ...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames

Materials

Brass

Medium, Barovier and Toso picture frame c1940
Located in London, GB
Original 1940s Barovier and Toso 'Torchon' technique twisted glass picture frame with brass detailing. In very good condition..
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames

Materials

Brass

Large midcentury Italian Murano glass picture frame by Barovier & Toso, 1940
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Large Murano glass picture frame by Barovier & Toso, Italy 1940. The hand blown Murano glass has been twisted and shaped in the Torchon to create a thick ribbed texture. Beautiful...
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames

Materials

Brass

Midcentury italian Murano glass picture frame by Barovier & Toso, 1940
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Elegant medium Murano glass picture frame by Barovier & Toso, Italy 1940. Signed in the brass frame The hand blown Murano glass has been twisted and shaped in the Torchon to create...
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames

Materials

Brass

Barovier & Toso Brass and Murano Glass Picture Frame, Italy, 1950s
Located in Naples, IT
Twisted crystal and brass portrait holder made by Barovier & Toso of Murano, Italy. Barovier & Toso is the oldest Murano glassworks still in business and the sixth oldest company in ...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames

Materials

Brass

Barovier Toso 21st Century Multicolor Filigrana Murano Glass Photo Frame
Located in New York, NY
21st century modern sophisticated and elegant contemporary picture frame in thick blown Murano glass: the crystal clear glass frame worked with “torchon” technique, handcrafted twisted blown Murano glass that amplifies the reflections, is accentuated with the use of filigrana technique in multicolour. Thin lines that like a ribbon twist around the crystal glass frame. "Filigrana' is a traditional technique, which dates back to the 16th century. Long glass rods (transparent, coloured or lattimo glass) are superimposed, intertwined and fused. The rod is wrapped around a glass cylinder and blown into shape and /or formed with glass-making tools. A master blower is recognised through their ability to keep each line of color separate, with same thickness and curvature around the glass, as all is carried out with speed as the glass cools. On a manufactured bronze support bearing the engraved Barovier Toso signature. A collector piece. Photo placement: 4.3 inches W x 6.25 H. Other colors available. Visit 1stdibs Cosulich Interiors & Antiques store front.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames

Materials

Brass

Italian Barovier Toso Brass & Turquoise Crystal Murano Glass Modern Photo Frame
Located in New York, NY
21st century modern sophisticated and elegant contemporary picture frame in thick blown Murano glass: the crystal clear glass frame worked with “torchon” technique, handcrafted twist...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames

Materials

Brass

Barovier Toso 21st Century Navy Blue and Gold Murano Glass Photo Frame
Located in New York, NY
21st century modern sophisticated and elegant contemporary picture frame in thick blown Murano glass: the crystal clear glass frame worked with “torchon” technique, handcrafted twist...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames

Materials

Brass

Barovier Toso 21st Century Multicolor Filigrana Murano Glass Photo Frame
Located in New York, NY
21st century modern sophisticated and elegant contemporary picture frame in thick blown Murano glass: the crystal clear glass frame worked with “torchon” technique, handcrafted twisted blown Murano glass that amplifies the reflections, is accentuated with the use of filigrana technique in multicolour. Thin lines that like a ribbon twist around the crystal glass frame. "Filigrana' is a traditional technique, which dates back to the 16th century. Long glass rods (transparent, coloured or lattimo glass) are superimposed, intertwined and fused. The rod is wrapped around a glass cylinder and blown into shape and /or formed with glass-making tools. A master blower is recognised through their ability to keep each line of color separate, with same thickness and curvature around the glass, as all is carried out with speed as the glass cools. On a manufactured bronze support bearing the engraved Barovier Toso signature. A collector piece. Photo placement: 4.3 inches W x 6.25 H. Other colors available. Visit 1stdibs Cosulich Interiors & Antiques store front.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames

Materials

Brass

Murano Smoky Photo Frame by Barovier e Toso - 2 Available
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage picture frame with hand blown clear and smoky Murano "Torciglione" glass border / Designed by Barovier e Toso circa 1960's / Original mark on frame / Made in Italy Measures:...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames

Materials

Brass

Murano Green Photo Frame by Barovier e Toso - 3 Available
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage picture frame with hand blown clear and green Murano "Torciglione" glass border / Designed by Barovier e Toso circa 1960's / Original mark on frame / Made in Italy Measures:...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames

Materials

Brass

2000s Italian Vintage Aquamarine Blue Twisted Murano Glass & Brass Picture Frame
Located in New York, NY
A sophisticated Venetian modern design vertical photo frame in thick blown Murano glass worked in a luscious baby blue turquoise jewel color, by B...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames

Materials

Brass

Italian Table Mirror Vanity with Brass Photo Frames by Barovier and Toso
Located in Milano, IT
Spectacular pair of 1950's Italian table mirrors made by Barovier and Toso. The pair of mirrors can also serve as vanity mirrors for a makeup desk. The mir...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Barovier e Toso Antiqued Brass & Braided Glass Picture Frame
Located in New York, NY
This stunning Mid-Century Modern picture frame was realized by the legendary atelier of Barovier e Toso in Murano, Italy circa 1960. It offers a rectangular form with rounded corners...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames

Materials

Brass

Murano Dark Blue Photo Frame by Barovier e Toso - 2 Available
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage picture frame with hand blown clear and dark blue Murano "Torciglione" glass border / Designed by Barovier e Toso circa 1960's / Original mark on frame / Made in Italy Measu...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames

Materials

Brass

Murano Pink Photo Frame by Barovier e Toso, 4 Available
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage photo frame with hand blown clear and pink Murano "Torciglione" glass border / Designed by Barovier e Toso circa 1960's / Original mark on frame / Made in Italy Measures: H...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames

Materials

Brass

Murano Green Photo Frame by Barovier e Toso - 3 Available
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage picture frame with hand blown clear and green Murano "Torciglione" glass border / Designed by Barovier e Toso circa 1960's / Original mark on frame / Made in Italy Measures:...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames

Materials

Brass

Murano Photo Frame by Barovier e Toso
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage round photo frame in handblown Murano "Torciglione" clear glass border infused with gold flecks / Designed by Barovier e Toso circa 1960's / "Barov...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames

Materials

Brass

Murano Light Blue Photo Frame by Barovier e Toso, 4 Available
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage photo frame with hand blown clear and light blue Murano "Torciglione" glass border / Designed by Barovier e Toso circa 1960's / Original mark on frame / Made in Italy. Meas...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames

Materials

Brass

Murano Gold Photo Frame by Barovier e Toso, 4 Available
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage photo frame with hand blown clear Murano "Torciglione" glass border infused with gold / Designed by Barovier e Toso circa 1960's / Original mark on frame / Made in Italy Me...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames

Materials

Brass

Murano Dark Blue Photo Frame by Barovier e Toso - 3 Available
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage picture frame with hand blown clear and dark blue Murano "Torciglione" glass border / Designed by Barovier e Toso circa 1960's / Original mark on frame / Made in Italy Measu...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames

Materials

Brass

Murano Smoky Photo Frame by Barovier e Toso - 4 Available
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage picture frame with hand blown clear and smoky Murano "Torciglione" glass border / Designed by Barovier e Toso circa 1960's / Original mark on frame / Made in Italy Measures:...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames

Materials

Brass

"Torchon" Murano Art Glass Mirror, Signed Barovier-Toso Murano, 1950s
Located in Brescia, IT
"Torchon" clear glass and brass details Perfect condition.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames

Materials

Brass

Barovier Toso Contemporary 24 Kt Gold Chartreuse Murano Glass Photo Frame
Located in New York, NY
21st century modern sophisticated and elegant contemporary picture frame in thick blown Murano glass: the crystal clear glass frame worked with “torchon” technique, handcrafted twist...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames

Materials

Brass

Related Items
Mid-Century Oval Barovier & Toso Deep Amber Murano Glass Torchon Picture Frame
Located in Glasgow, GB
Oval shaped Murano Glass ‘Torchon’ picture frame, by Barovier & Toso circa 1950s. This chic and glamorous frame is comprised of a thick handmade Murano glass border; in a wonderfu...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames

Materials

Brass

Mid Century Large Rectangular Barovier & Toso Murano Torchon Picture Frame
Located in Glasgow, GB
Large rectangular Murano Glass ‘Torchon’ picture frame, by Barovier & Toso circa 1950s This chic and glamorous frame is comprised of a thick handmade Murano glass border; in a spark...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames

Materials

Gold, Brass

Mid Century Large Rectangular Barovier & Toso Murano Torchon Picture Frame
Located in Glasgow, GB
Large rectangular Murano Glass ‘Torchon’ picture frame, by Barovier & Toso circa 1950s This chic and glamorous frame is comprised of a thick handmade Murano glass border; in a spark...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames

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Gold, Brass

Murano Green Photo Frame by Barovier e Toso - 3 Available
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage picture frame with hand blown clear and green Murano "Torciglione" glass border / Designed by Barovier e Toso circa 1960's / Original mark on frame / Made in Italy Measures:...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames

Materials

Brass

Murano Smoky Photo Frame by Barovier e Toso - 2 Available
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage picture frame with hand blown clear and smoky Murano "Torciglione" glass border / Designed by Barovier e Toso circa 1960's / Original mark on frame / Made in Italy Measures:...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames

Materials

Brass

Italian Table Mirror Vanity with Brass Photo Frames by Barovier and Toso
Located in Milano, IT
Spectacular pair of 1950's Italian table mirrors made by Barovier and Toso. The pair of mirrors can also serve as vanity mirrors for a makeup desk. The mir...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames

Materials

Brass

Seguso Murano Glass Picture Frame Vanity Mirror 1950s
Located in Munich, DE
Sophisticated round picture frame or vanity mirror in thick clear blown Murano glass signed with Seguso Murano. The elegant texture of the tightly twisted glass frame...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames

Materials

Brass

ITALIAN Photo Frame Silver Handmade , Trust
Located in Sarezzo, IT
Trust is an Italian photo frame silver handmade by Laura G Art with Heart. A stylized orange-flower design provides a well-wishing motif for Tr...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames

Materials

Silver

ITALIAN Photo Frame Silver Handmade , Trust
ITALIAN Photo Frame Silver Handmade , Trust
Free Shipping
H 6.7 in W 5.1 in D 0.2 in
French Ormolu Pressed Flower Photo Frame
Located in Newark, England
Fine French late 19th century ormolu mounted photo frame. The frame beautifully cast with a gilded bronze scrolling patterned surround. The boarder sweeping across the top of the frame in three separate sections hinged from top to bottom between each panel. The ormolu boarding beautiful glass panels with pressed flowers...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames

Materials

Metal, Bronze, Ormolu

French Ormolu Pressed Flower Photo Frame
French Ormolu Pressed Flower Photo Frame
Free Shipping
H 13.39 in W 16.93 in D 1 in
2000s Italian Vintage Aquamarine Blue Twisted Murano Glass & Brass Picture Frame
Located in New York, NY
A sophisticated Venetian modern design vertical photo frame in thick blown Murano glass worked in a luscious baby blue turquoise jewel color, by B...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames

Materials

Brass

Contemporary Handmade Aquamarine Crystal Horizontal Photo Frame by Ghirò Studio
Located in Pieve Emanuele, Milano
2021 Collection of picture frames by Ghirò Studio. Picture frame of excellent workmanship and artistic quality. The rounded edges give harmony and elegance. The high transparency ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames

Materials

Glass

Murano Dark Blue Photo Frame by Barovier e Toso - 2 Available
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage picture frame with hand blown clear and dark blue Murano "Torciglione" glass border / Designed by Barovier e Toso circa 1960's / Original mark on frame / Made in Italy Measu...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames

Materials

Brass

Previously Available Items
Midcentury italian Murano glass picture frame by Barovier & Toso, 1940
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Elegant Murano glass picture frame by Barovier & Toso, Italy 1940. Signed in the brass frame The hand blown Murano glass has been twisted and shaped in the Torchon to create a thic...
Category

1940s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames

Materials

Murano Glass

Barovier Toso Contemporary 24 Kt Gold Chartreuse Murano Glass Photo Frame
Located in New York, NY
21st century modern sophisticated and elegant contemporary picture frame in thick blown Murano glass: the crystal clear glass frame worked with “torchon” technique, handcrafted twist...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames

Materials

Brass

Barovier Toso Contemporary 24 Kt Gold Chartreuse Murano Glass Photo Frame
Located in New York, NY
21st century modern sophisticated and elegant contemporary picture frame in thick blown Murano glass: the crystal clear glass frame worked with “torchon” technique, handcrafted twist...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames

Materials

Brass

2000s Italian Vintage Aquamarine Blue Twisted Murano Glass & Brass Picture Frame
Located in New York, NY
A sophisticated Venetian modern design horizontal photo frame in thick blown Murano glass worked in a luscious Fontana Arte sky blue jewel colo...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames

Materials

Brass

2000s Barovier Toso Italian Dark Hunter Green Murano Glass Brass Picture Frame
Located in New York, NY
A sophisticated Venetian modern design vertical picture frame in thick blown Murano glass worked in an emerald green color, by Barovier Toso, signed piece. The elegant texture of the...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames

Materials

Brass

2000s Barovier Toso Italian Chartreuse Green Murano Glass Brass Picture Frame
Located in New York, NY
A sophisticated Venetian modern design vertical photo frame in thick blown Murano glass worked in a pastel lime green color, by Barovier Toso, signed piece. The elegant texture of th...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames

Materials

Brass

2000 Barovier Toso Italian Pink Crystal Twisted Murano Glass Brass Picture Frame
Located in New York, NY
A sophisticated Venetian modern design vertical photo frame in thick blown Murano glass worked in a pastel purple pink color, overlayed in crystal, by Barovier Toso, signed piece. Th...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames

Materials

Brass

2000 Barovier Toso Italian Crystal Twisted Murano Glass Brass Picture Frame
Located in New York, NY
A sophisticated Venetian modern design vertical picture frame in thick blown crystal clear Murano glass, overlayed in crystal, by Barovier Toso, signed piece. The elegant texture of ...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames

Materials

Brass

2000 Barovier Toso Italian Gold Crystal Twisted Murano Glass Brass Picture Frame
Located in New York, NY
A sophisticated Venetian modern design vertical picture frame in thick blown Murano glass worked in a amber orange gold color, overlayed in crystal, by Barovier Toso, signed piece. T...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames

Materials

Brass

2000 Barovier Toso Italian Pink Crystal Twisted Murano Glass Brass Picture Frame
Located in New York, NY
A sophisticated Venetian modern design vertical picture frame in thick blown Murano glass worked in a pastel pink color, overlayed in crystal, by Barovier Toso, signed piece. The ele...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames

Materials

Brass

Murano Pink Photo Frame by Barovier e Toso, 2 Available
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage photo frame with hand blown clear and pink Murano "Torciglione" glass border / Designed by Barovier e Toso circa 1960's / original mark on frame / Made in Italy. Measures: h...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames

Materials

Brass

Murano Gold Photo Frame by Barovier e Toso
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage photo frame with hand blown clear Murano "Torciglione" glass border infused with gold flecks / Designed by Barovier e Toso circa 1960's / Original mark on frame / Made in Ita...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames

Materials

Brass

Murano Gold Photo Frame by Barovier e Toso
Murano Gold Photo Frame by Barovier e Toso
H 11.03 in W 8.67 in D 2.17 in

Mid-century Modern picture frames for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern picture frames for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage picture frames created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, wall decorations, mirrors and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, glass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern picture frames made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original picture frames, popular names associated with this style include Barovier&Toso, Fontana Arte, Gucci, and Tommaso Barbi. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for picture frames differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $49 and tops out at $16,687 while the average work can sell for $970.

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