Swept frame
Unknown Artist
1752–55
Medium
Oak lower moldings and feather keys; lime upper moldings. Carved, gilt; orange bole.
Dimensions
Overall: 32 13/16 × 38 1/16 in. (83.3 × 96.7 cm) Sight: 22 1/8 × 27 5/8 in. (56.2 × 70.2 cm) Rabbet: 23 7/8 × 29 3/8 in. (60.7 × 74.6 cm)
Classification
Frames
Culture
French, Lyon
Department
Robert Lehman Collection
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Robert Lehman Collection, 1975
Accession Number
1975.1.2267
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Swept frame* from Lyon, France, dating to 1752–55, exemplifies the opulent craftsmanship of mid-18th-century decorative arts. Crafted by an unknown artist, it features oak for the sturdy lower moldings and feather, paired with lighter lime wood for the upper sections. The frame is intricately carved, gilded over a vibrant orange bole—a clay-like adhesive that provides a rich, warm undercoat for the gold leaf, creating a luminous finish that catches the light beautifully. Measuring about 33 by 38 inches overall, it frames a sight window of roughly 22 by 28 inches, perfect for po...