Gilt ripple frame
Unknown Artist
late 17th century
Medium
Poplar. Gilt; orange-red bole. Iron hanger.
Dimensions
Overall: 10 13/16 × 12 3/8 in. (27.5 × 31.5 cm) Sight: 5 1/4 × 6 9/16 in. (13.4 × 16.7 cm) Rabbet: 5 11/16 × 7 1/2 in. (14.5 × 19 cm)
Classification
Frames
Culture
Sicilian(?)
Department
Robert Lehman Collection
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Robert Lehman Collection, 1975
Accession Number
1975.1.2326
Art Historical Context
This exquisite gilt ripple frame, dating to the late 17 century and possibly of Sicilian origin, exemplifies the opulent Baroque taste for decorative splendor. Crafted from poplar wood—a lightweight, workable choice favored for such intricate designs—the frame features a distinctive "ripple" profile, with undulating waves along its edges that catch and reflect light dramatically. Its modest overall dimensions (10 13/16 × 12 3/8 inches belie its grandeur, designed to elegantly encase a small painting or portrait, as indicated by the sight size of 5 1/4 × 6 9/16 inches. The frame's surface is m...