Setdart opens the year with a special auction of antique frames, made up of a rich variety of styles and periods: from Renaissance architectural-type frames to Empire-style frames, passing through excellent pieces of the Baroque period in fine carving.

The auction will take place on January 7th, and will gather, for example, Spanish marks from the Golden Age, in wood gilded with fine gold, carved with fleshy plant elements and rockery motifs, as was typical of the time. This is illustrated by lots 35205256, 35119847 and 35205255. Respecting the lines of the fine moldings that delimit the interior frame and the exterior perimeter, the decoration, despite its almost sculptural thickness, is subordinate to the structure, respecting the base symmetry. This is a criterion that was clearly applied during the Baroque period, and that will make a basic difference with respect to the future Rococo style.

It would be very difficult to imagine the great works of art naked, especially from the Renaissance to almost nowadays, that is, without a frame to protect them. When we are in front of a work, many times the frame goes unnoticed and, in other cases, it is even capable of reducing the role of the piece. It is a clear indication of its function to protect and dignify a painting, sometimes it is achieved with such a degree of sophistication and beauty that it is worthy of being another work of art.
The frames follow the tastes, fashions and postulates of each era, thus adapting to the best way to present the pieces they should contain.

We also find Italian frames from the late Baroque, whose ornamental motifs alternate acanthus leaves carved with a naturalistic will with ribbons that mold the structure, as is the case of lot 35119858, which follows classicist patterns. Another Italian-made frame (35119857), applies the decoration in bas-relief applying the pastiglia technique, which was frequent at the end of the 18th century.

In an empire style, the mahogany palm frame stands out with ebonised parts and bronze applications (lot 35119844). It is a frame with a mirror, with a rigorously geometric design, inspired by the classicisms of the 19th century. The frame follows a clearly architectural structure, with refined, clean and strongly geometric lines, typical of the Empire aesthetic. Also typical of this language is the combination of noble wood with gilt metal, highlighting the different parts of the structure by means of moldings, and also composing the reliefs.

The oldest frames included in this collection are from the 16th century, one of them architecturally inspired, in carved and gilded wood, with pilasters and capitals (see lot 35147285).

These and other frames can be viewed and purchased at the auction on January 7, 2021.