What would you call this type of antique frame

My son picked it up for free somewhere. It's about 20" x 16". It's in box and I don't want to take it out because it's so fragile. What style is this?

 

Would just call it a Victorian gesso decorated frame. Mid to late 19th century, on into the 20th.

 

Replaced ! Im forever vexing my art board because if I dont like a frame,its history.

 

I found some of these type of frames years ago at a sale. I still have one left where they took out the image and replaced it with a photo of their kid.

 

Many times the new photo or art is just in front of the old so it's worth an open up at the location, if you can.

 

Yep I did, nothing to see but the kid. LOL

I also sold some and the person who bought them used it for their own needs.
Believe it not, they put fossilized bugs in the frame and resold them.

 

I'm confused by the breaks. Is this gesso on wood? I've never seen a frame or anything gesso covered break in that manner with such perfect straight lines. The way the crack runs from the top diagonally and continues on the other side of the photo. I say the frame is resin

 

The portrait is of Major John Biddle by Tom Sully (1918) and is often reproduced. Here's just one example to be found on the internet. The original is in The Met.

https://live.amoskeagauction.com/lo...que-Replica-Oil-Portrait-of-Major-John-Biddle

Debora

 

Could be plaster, which would crack like this.

 

From the chipped paint bits, does look like plaster.

Debora

 

He brings home lots of oddities.