A Pricey Wood Picture Frame – Can Come from Wormy Wood!

Picture frames can be simple in design, or wonderfully carved and ornate such as the gold leaf frames from the early Federal Period of (1790 – 1830). If you want to buy a wood picture frame then read on about the styles and types of woods used, and where to buy them and cost. Along the way you might learn a few surprising facts about the simple ole wood picture frame.

Places to Buy Frames and Exotic Woods

Don’t be surprised to find out that there are a lot of places that you can buy a wood picture frame. Places such as your local K Mart have bargain frames, and your local matt or photographers’ studio often have beautiful pre – made frames that they can order for you. Price ranges depend on style and type of wood. You’ll pay much more for a Teak or Sandalwood frame compared to your plain pine or maple. Other types of expensive foreign wood might interest you too. Sandalwood and Mango frames are found primarily in Indonesia, and its wood is some of the loveliest on the market. Handmade frames such as those made by Castner Frames out of Pennsylvania are very hard to find, and the price matches the quality of the wood picture frame they make. So if you want to buy a handmade frame, and feel you need to know a little about how they make them, be sure to read the article from the Cincinnati, OH newspaper The Enquirer of Sat. Oct. 6, 01 about the Castner Company.

Styles and Price Guides

Not many people realize that there are hundred of frames styles and designs with molds that are copyrighted. Style choices come in French Provincial, Gothic and Art Deco, just to name a few. Some of the first mass produced frames began in the US in the late 1800s.Up until that time most frames were produced came to the US by way of Europe, and were done by local master craftsmen. Later a cottage industry would grow in the US for hand crafted frames. A great book to read on the history and prices of frames is Wilner’s Antique American Frames: Identification and Price Guide 1995. Certain woods like the Burl are very prized for a wood picture frame because burl is created from a defect in the wood itself. The grain is diverse and often darker. Worm wood is expensive because it survived an attack by vicious beetles or infection!

Advice and Study

Up until the 1980s most individuals didn’t collect just a wood picture frame, or considered it much of an investment, but the nationally know museums did. If you want to collect don’t feel silly to do so because the American Fine Art Museum of the Smithsonian Institution continues to add to their collection. Before you buy or start a collection read up and know your wood. Attend some local auctions and subscribe to antiques magazines. One great source is publication The Magazine Antiques to find a lot of information about antiques in general. Finally, when you’re searching for your wood picture frame always consider rarity and condition. There’s nothing wrong with a natural wear and aging for your wood picture frame, but overt damage wouldn’t be that wise of an esthetic or a financial investment. Wood is truly a work of art.

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