Photo Frames

A photo frame is an open box for holding picture with different purposes… some times to improve the beauty of the picture, some times to display and sometimes even to protect it from damaging. Photo frames are made in various shapes and sizes according to the common need.

Early History: Photo frame evolved nearly 4000 years ago, found on a vase and tomb painting. Later on this idea was found on mosaics with designed borders. The Christianity adapted the idea of making photo frames by carving the edges of ivory book covers and diptychs. By this time the structure and role of photo frames was changing rapidly. In the early Renaissance period the writings and the pictures of monarchs were framed in the gold and gem frames. The beautifully carved frames narrate the skilled workmanship. In this way every country discovered some new designs of photo frames like the ‘Cassetta’ of Italian Renaissance and the ‘Rocco’ frames of France.

Manufacturing process:

A picture frame is made by using soft or even hard wood according to need. Other than wood some other materials like aluminum or polystyrene, are also used for making photo frames. A photo frame can be made of different color and texture but the most common method is gilding. There are picture frames with detailed carved designs in harmony to the picture. The picture frames are covered with outer glass or a thin plastic cover. The glass is a bit uplifted from the paper by the method of matting, shadowboxing and stacking. This is done because if the paper slightly touches the picture, the condensation in the glass may get absorbed in the picture without evaporation. It will result in damaging both the picture and the glass. Glass lifting is also necessary when the picture is made of charcoal and pastel in order to avoid smudging.

Present Scenario:
The modern technique of making photo frames has highly advanced today. The photo frames made are digital photo frames, the fillet, gilding, gold leaf and silver leaf. Basically the photo frames are made of ‘L’ style some other styles are box fames, shadow boxes. The digital photo frame describes the advanced technology of 21st century.