Antique French Empire Figural Dore Bronze Frame, Sphynx

Antiques : Picture Frames

 

Nothing finer than the look of Napoleon and Josephine's era - termed 'French Empire' and for all good reason. It reflected the most expansive period of French history as far as the reaches of the Empire under Napoleon. More books are written about Napoleon, I'm told, than about any single figure in world history. As fascinating as was the man, the mystique - so, too, are we still fascinated with the incorporation of ancient Roman, Greek and Far Eastern motifs in the brilliant and regal gold or "d'or" (dore) bronze trim on furniture and frames, clocks and architecture that the era spawned. We enjoy today, in immense quantity, the treasures of that era's expansion and acquisition by military force and by force of a most brilliant use of what our pop culture of the 21st century would term 'A great mind for marketing'. Presentation and aesthetic and the impression of things were paramount in the Napoleonic rise to power. He made exceptional use of artists of his day, and in the propaganda that massive distribution of images of his victories could wage among commoners and the elite of France as well. A fascinating period, and this fabulous old frame remains an ongoing tribute to a style of that period. This frame is very possibly 1st Empire, but we will suggest it is from the revival of the style during the 2nd Empire, or the reign in France of Emperor Louis Napoleon, Napoleon III, (1840-70s, roughly). I would nearly guarantee it is the 1st Empire, however, though we have plenty of companions to it that we'd say are definitely later productions of the form. But look closely - a crimson leather backing (lost its easel stand, but not its grace & appeal) and a superb modeling in the dore bronze ormolu appliques of sphynx and wreath, ribbon. Finest quality - a treaure with history.

Very good condition for age. Wood mat is original, has one hairline age crack in upper left corner, transversing the upper part of the ormolu wreath that covers it. Glass is in place, and but for the back easel stand, it is excellent. We can make a replacement easel stand with coordinating silk covering should our buyer want it, but for now we prefer to leave it original as you see it. We do believe it is Napoleonic, after all - a museum piece, this one!

Item ID: 406ormfrm