Description
In certain English interiors of the mid-twentieth century—when decoration began to loosen its Victorian severity without abandoning classical proportion—frames like this started to appear. They respected the established language of gilded mouldings while introducing a deliberate note of color within the inner profile.
The blue—neither strictly navy nor cobalt—creates a measured pause. It frames the artwork without competing for attention, yet adds a sense of depth that feels almost architectural. The outer gilt surface, gently mellowed by time, retains that warm tonality that painted wood acquires only after years of handling, dusting, rehanging.
Its square format (79 x 79 cm) gives it a particular presence. This is not the conventional narrative rectangle; it is a contained field. It works beautifully with contemporary painting, works on paper, photography, or even textile art, where the dialogue between blue and gold introduces an additional layer of visual tension.
The cream inner liner softens the transition between artwork and frame—a detail easily overlooked at first glance but essential when viewed closely. It is the sort of quiet refinement that rewards attention.
At Deco for Curious, our antiques shop in Bilbao, we look for frames that do more than surround. This one does not perform theatrics. It holds.
It may already have an image waiting for it. Or it may hang empty for a while—its geometry doing the work on its own.
This post is also available in: Spanish
