Pair of French bronze Régence Frames

A very rare pair of rectangular gilt bronze or ormolu moulded frames. Between two rims of twisted cord is an appliquéd, scalloped border decorated with palmettes and shells, beaded garlands, volutes and foliage. The motif that characterises the frames most clearly as “early Régence-style” is the shell resting on (or hanging from) two trailing acanthus leaves.

The planked wooden back is held together down the middle by a sturdy iron brace. On the lower side it ends in two fairly straightforward curves to the right and left. On the upper side the curves go around the iron hook from which the frames hang. The ironwork on the back undoubtedly dates from the early 18th century. On the front both the scalloped border and the moulding of the frames are very beautifully executed.