In the manner of a century earlier, Louis XVI, this is a 1860-70s dore bronze bow top frame for a portrait miniature or a carte de visite photo (c.1860s, first paper photographs, 4" x 2"). The cross-ribbon outer frame with its generous bas relief bow top stands 6 1/8" tall. Full measurements are noted on the photos, including aperture. Made with a fine easel stand back or option to hang (hanging loop), it has a cream-colored card mat trimmed at aperture with a mirroring oval frame. The old cover glass is original and you can see where there remain some of the 'laid glass' bubbles in the glass. So pretty in a tabletop grouping, or along with other of our Antique French frames with your family photos within.
Very good to excellent for age and type. I can only mention that I'm sure this would have had either an oval of brass or a woven cloth or silk covered backing originally. Lost to time, it came to me from France with just the card backing. One could very easily re-cover it with a moire silk so it's pretty from both back and front. Likewise, it seems possible that the cream colored card mat might have been a cloth covered one. Again, would be quite simple to do that small restoration in a color of your choosing. Comes apart from back with metal tabs, the interior oval also has tabs.
