Why Buy An Antique Picture Frame ?

First of all, you already know the purpose of any frame is twofold; to draw attention to the picture and to protect it. An antique picture frame will do the first job much better than any of your standard, mass produced frames on the market today.

Antique picture frames were produced about 200 years B.C. During that time borders were found around Etruscan cave painting. Their design was intended to isolate the painting, and to keep it safe as well.

By the middle ages these frames were made from wood, and typically they were made by the painter. It was far from a specialized skill. That changed during the Renaissance. Frame making became an important craft done by professionals. These carefully crafted frames were designed to go well with whatever the furniture style of the location may have been. Everything from rococo to guilded to ornate was produced in either wood or metal. They not only made the picture look better, but everything around it as well. A quality frame could make an entire room look glamorous.

Now antique picture frames are available in a variety of styles. They can be Victorian and can be ornamentally carved in wood or made from metal. The problem is the cost. As time has gone by these quality frames are harder and harder to come by, thus driving up the price.

The solution for many is a reproduction. These reproductions get better looking all the time, often being hard to distinguish from the real thing. Yet the price fits nicely into most budgets.

But whether you are buying a real antique or a reproduction, understand that if you don't use it properly, it will detract from both the picture and the home's decor. If your house has more modernistic furnishings, your antique picture frame (or reproduction) will make the room look out of balance. The whole desired effect is gone. Remember the art is as precious as the frame, and you don't want that frame to ruin the effect of the picture.

Mass produced frames are the choice of most people, but if you want something that can more reflect your individual style, then you should really consider using antique picture frames. Yes they are often collector's items and as such, frequently have a cost that goes along with it. But more and more people are considering them as something of a necessity and not simply a luxury.

If that's you and you don't want to pay extraordinary prices, check out our compilation of antique picture frames for sale. We think you'll be impressed with both the selection and the prices.