Folk Art of Europe & Rest of World »
Decorative Rustic Frame with Photo Portrait
Ref: 2765
Photo portraits were extremely popular at the end of the 19th century, it was commonplace if travelling and working away from home to have a professional portrait taken of one's family. This one was taken in by a Mr Fuss in Dieringhausen. Dieringhausen was a tiny village that expanded hugely in the 1880s as it was the site of a major new rail junction and freight terminal. A father owning this piece may well have been living and working as a railway worker in the one of the settlements himself and made the frame by hand with loving care. What is called in America "trampwork" and supposedly made by hobos was commonplace homemade folk art craft for shepherds and country people in Europe especially those enduring idle hours owing to the nature of solitary work.
On the other hand the robustness and artistry of the frame suggests it could have been professionally made. It's plausible that a frame maker's would have found good business in a busy emerging town like Dieringhausen offering a range of decorative frames for photos in the then fashionable "rustic" style from bark and pine stalks. This one is a rare survival and perfect condition.
Rhineland late 19th cent.
H: 43cm (16.9in)
W: 36cm (14.2in)
D: 2cm (0.8in)
SOLD
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