Frame
Unknown Artist
18th century
Medium
Gilt bronze
Dimensions
Width: 15 in. (38.1 cm)
Classification
Metalwork-Gilt Bronze
Culture
French
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1906
Accession Number
07.225.510.545
Art Historical Context
This exquisite 18th-century French gilt bronze frame exemplifies the opulent decorative arts of the Louis XV and Louis XVI periods, when such frames adorned grand interiors in aristocratic châteaux and Parisian hôtels particuliers. Measuring 15 inches wide, it likely framed a portrait, landscape painting, or mirror, enhancing the splendor of elite homes. Gilt bronze was a hallmark of French luxury metalwork, combining intricate casting with a radiant gold finish to mimic more precious materials while showcasing virtuoso craftsmanship. Artisans employed sophisticated techniques like lost-wax c...