A picture frame is a container for a picture, such as a painting or photograph, intended to display and protect the picture. It keeps your golden memories, and at the same time decorates your house.
The Development of Picture Frame
Initially, the frame examples were a container for the mummy portraits, hanging in owner’s homes before putting it into the funerary equipment at 2nd century A.D. in Egypt. By the 13-14 century frames were used as decorations in Europe, the first carved wooden frame appeared. This wooden frame with "picture" was made from one piece. Frame maker carved a timer like a tray that framing border rose around the outside edge, painting the scenes on the flat panel at last. According to a historical series published in Picture Frame Magazine. Later, engaged frames which were made of simple wooden molding strips attached to the outside edge of a wooden panel instead of previous wooden frames for cost sake.
Throughout the 14-15 century, most European picture frames were mainly as altarpiece for church and too large to move. Only the Renaissance in Italy treated the frame beyond the church. Wealthy nobles such as the Medici family brought art and frames into their mansion house to display paintings. Picture frames in 16 century reached its peak of development, became thinner than Italian version, and employed new design elements such as egg-and-dart, ribbon and flow of leaves. This paves the way for Baroque design in picture framing, and "Spanish, Flemish, and Italian influences were all at work for a curious mix and exchange of ideas."
Types of Picture Frame
Picture frames are generally square or rectangular, though circular and oval frames are not uncommon, and different frames shapes go around requires of fans. Frames in more unusual shapes usually intended for photographs, such as heart-shaped frames to hold wedding pictures and the like. There are also apparently picture frames designed to go around corners.
Picture frames have traditionally been made of wood, metal, bronze, plastics, or even sea shells, in which metal, bronze are the most common and most prestigious material. A picture frame may be of color or texture, but gilding is common, especially on older frames. However, hand carved wooden picture frames are becoming more and more popular, since they are good idea to go with any classic look and fit into most types of décor.