Friday, November 14, 2014

Antique Tiny French Brass Picture Frame


I have never really been interested in antique dollhouse pieces. I am not sure, even though this was advertised that way, this was originally meant for dollhouse. It was made in the 1880's in France.

I just Googled tiny French brass picture frame and I found this offered by an antique dealer.. It was love at first sight. I liked the fact it had such intricate details and was square. It is one inch wide and 1 3/4 inches tall. The baby photo came with the frame. That I will take out eventually.

It has an easel back and it is solid brass. I have never deliberately altered an antique. Even the antique buttons I have collected. Sadly, the easel will have to come off to use it on a wall.  It is too big to sit on a table.

I have fiddled around all afternoon avoiding cutting the back off. How silly...You'd think I could find something else to feel guilty about!
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31 comments:

  1. ElgaNovember 15, 2014 at 12:12 AM

    That sure is a beautiful frame, looking forward to see what you are going to put into it...and I have the same problem as you altering an antique, some I still haven't managed to talk myself into doing it :-)

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    1. CatherineNovember 15, 2014 at 8:24 PM

      Thank you Elga. It feels wrong to me to alter something that has survived over 100 years. I just couldn't resist this one.

      Delete
  2. Mi mundo de miniaturaNovember 15, 2014 at 1:21 AM

    No te sientas culpable, lógicamente para tus miniaturas tienes que adaptarlo, lo demás no cambia nada y se trata de un hermoso cuadro.

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    1. CatherineNovember 15, 2014 at 8:26 PM

      Gracias! Voy a averiguar algo que ver con eso.

      Delete
  3. PepperNovember 15, 2014 at 3:18 AM

    I don't like changing anything already made purely because I don't think I could do it justice with my limited skills. I'm sure you could alter the back so that it looks as if it was always meant to be wall hung. Such pretty little details =0)

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    1. CatherineNovember 15, 2014 at 8:27 PM

      Whatever do you mean? You have GREAT skills!!!

      Thanks Pepper! ;-)

      Delete
  4. Kikka NNovember 15, 2014 at 3:32 AM

    HI! What a delicate and beautiful frame!
    Having the same problem as you have with the antique..
    Can't wait to see the frame on the wall!
    Hugs
    Kikka

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    1. CatherineNovember 15, 2014 at 8:28 PM

      Walls are exactly what I need most! haha

      Thank you Kikka

      Delete
  5. JosjeNovember 15, 2014 at 4:14 AM

    Well you'll just have to cut a hole in the wall to accommodate the back of the frame! No, I understand your dilemma, but in this case I think it is OK to cut the back off. It is a very pretty frame...Ah a thought just struck me...!!! With your skills, why don't you make a casting of the frame and leave the original as it is? Win win I'd say!

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    1. CatherineNovember 15, 2014 at 8:31 PM

      Cut a hole in the wall eh...haha I really love your last idea! I think I will pull a mould off of it. It would be really pretty in gold too as a pin.

      Thank you for the great idea!

      Delete
  6. rosannaNovember 15, 2014 at 8:28 AM

    I agree with Josje, you are so talented that you might redo it and have them both.
    It's truly a lovely piece
    Rosanna

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    1. CatherineNovember 15, 2014 at 8:32 PM

      Thank you Rosanna. Can't you see one with a tiny petit point design in it. ;-)

      Delete
  7. FabiolaNovember 15, 2014 at 9:40 AM

    Very beautiful!

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  8. ElianaNovember 15, 2014 at 3:24 PM

    So beautiful frame!

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  9. claudeNovember 15, 2014 at 4:44 PM

    j'aime beaucoup ces cadres en laiton, belle acquisition

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    1. CatherineNovember 15, 2014 at 8:35 PM

      Merci.
      Je parie que vous voyez ces petits cadres tout le temps en France. Ils sont rares trouvailles aux USA bien.

      Delete
  10. miraclechickenNovember 15, 2014 at 8:21 PM

    What a beautiful little frame! Great find---

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  11. DaydreamerNovember 15, 2014 at 9:45 PM

    What a beautiful little frame! I sympathize with your feelings about altering old pieces! I can never bring myself to paint old wooden furniture... no matter how rough the condition! I think Josje's idea is Genius.... and I am positive you have the skills to make a beautiful copy! I look forward to seeing the new version!

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    1. CatherineNovember 15, 2014 at 10:45 PM

      Thank you Betsy. I hope the casting turn out. Josje had a great idea.

      Delete
  12. JonquilNovember 16, 2014 at 3:30 AM

    It's a beautiful little frame, what a lovely find. I think you are probably right, it wasn't made for a dollshouse, as in the antique shops here there are lots of these tiny frames, usually with tiny photos of babies, children and sweethearts. Yours, however, is especially fine and in scale, what a great find!

    I wouldn't feel too guilty about taking the easel off the back - you are giving it a new lease of life!

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    1. JonquilNovember 16, 2014 at 3:31 AM

      here meaning France, of course!

      Delete
    2. CatherineNovember 16, 2014 at 8:59 AM

      Thank you Jonquil. I would love to have the chance to look around in antique shops in France. I am sure these little frames are quite common there. Sadly, They are hard to find for me in the US.
      I LOVE the work you are doing. Your embroidery is beautiful.

      Delete
  13. Hairy CavemanNovember 16, 2014 at 6:01 AM

    Wow, that is so intricate for something so tiny! I don't think you should feel guilty about altering it, it's your property now, do with it as you please!
    Kind regards, Brian.

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  14. Norma BennettNovember 19, 2014 at 6:22 PM

    It's absolutely gorgeous and I'm sure exudes even more charm in reality than in the picture. I'm liking Josje's idea a lot!!! (If you do take the picture out you won't throw it away though, will you, it's really endearing and I'm sure you could find a mini drawer to pop it in - if you truly don't want it I'd find it a home in a flash!).

    Thanks for your lovely comment on my blog birthday, you are so sweet Catherine and I genuinely return the compliment in spades. xxx

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  15. CatherineNovember 19, 2014 at 6:42 PM

    Thank you Norma!

    I wouldn't have the heart to throw away that photo. I think she has been in that frame for many years. It is not a copy it has a very antique looking back. There is printed writing from the photographers studio the picture was taken in.

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  16. miniaturistaDecember 8, 2014 at 4:40 PM

    Precioso marco y foto.
    Feliz Navidad
    Un abrazo
    Maite

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  17. elizabeth sDecember 29, 2014 at 1:35 PM

    Hi Catherine! Since your frame has an easel back, could you not use it as a vanity mirror by replacing the photo with a mirror and then use your casting as a wall hung piece?
    I know the guilt that you are feeling though, and I have felt the same, but then I justify any alterations by saying that rather than being hidden away, it now has a new lease on life..... and then I don't feel the guilt as acutely... sigh :/

    elizabeth

    ReplyDelete

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