Is the a genuine Art Nouveau photograph frame?

It was only yesterday, after I came across Jeff Drum's
Art nouveau brass picture frame, maker?
that I realised I might have might have an art nouveau wood photograph frame hanging on a wall of a room I rarely visit.

I bought it in London's Portabella Road Saturday Antiques street market. So I've had since the end years of 1970. It was very dirty, and I cannot remember how I cleaned. I seem to have caused it any damage.

It has one short crack that is only apparent from the top edge, and I think the top piece of the picture area is missing. The photo backplate appears original, and is slightly bent side-to-side.

Was this made by pyrology, as I have read?

What's the view? Is it the genuine article, or just in the style of...?



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Looking forward to seeing your comments.

 

I would say not Art Nouveau, the rendering of the flowers is realistic, not stylized the way Art Nouveau designs were. Below is an example of dandelion rendered realistically and then used on an Art Nouveau book cover, see how the flowers are bent and swirled to make a design? They would never grow that way.

It is very a pretty frame and could be of the period, just not the Art Nouveau style, JMHO.

 

Is it pyrography?

 

Yes it is pyrography, and while it does not scream art nouveau, it is in my opinion influenced by both that and by aesthetic movement sensibilities. The assymetric placement of the aperture speaks to it's design roots in Japanese art, which in itself contributed greatly to both the aesthetic movement and in turn what we know as Art Nouveau.
IMO, a very nice frame from the early part of the 20thc, with a well thought out and harmonious design executed in the pyrographic technique.

 

I see what you mean, even if you have ruined my evening (I'll be over when I've eaten my evening meal). Thanks, I appreciate your comment.

 

The “photo” looks like a print?

 

Thanks, you told me very nicely I had the right idea and the wrong word.

 

No, not Art Nouveau, a design period known for the use of the whiplash line. Looks more Arts & Crafts. Is the image original or did you add it? Is it a cutout from a magazine or some such? (Doesn't look like photograph. ) Frankly, it doesn't look to be of the same period as frame. A bit later. Why don't you remove and rephotograph? It's a bit distracting.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whiplash_(decorative_art)

Debora

 

It's a postcard of a painting by William John Leech, called The Sunshade, held by the National Gallery of Ireland.

 

And did you buy the frame with the postcard in it or did you add?

Debora

 

Faded.

Debora

 

I’m missing something somewhere.....to me the photo looks like it’s just resting on top of the pyrogragraphy piece....even tho the back shows a place for an insert......

 

I should have added the painting was done in 1913. And this is the photo that was in the frame when I acquired it:

 

Oh shes so charming ! Put her back ! Though I did myself have a scary moment with an old picture,or so I thought .

 

Isn't she sweet in her little bentwood chair? And she's gone out of the family. But how nice you saved her.

Debora

 

The post card slipped down. No drafting tape in the days when I put it in place.

She is safely back in the frame and on the wall.

 

Thank you for all your comments and suggestions. I'm a little sad it isn't AN; but I like it just as much as I did before I thought it might be.

 

Why should you be sad that design is considered Arts & Crafts, not Art Nouveau? It's still the same frame. Doesn't make it less attractive or valuable. So of its period. Here's William Morris' 'Golden Lily' wallpaper that was produced between 1880 and 1917.

Debora

 

Thank you Debora

 

I know you all mean well with me and chase me to the vaults for fitness reasons only...


to me it looks French art nouveau from the region around Nancy, probably from the Vosges, where many snowed-in yokels produced pyro stuff during wintertime.