The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-06-09


foundation and composition are covered
with red clay, then with three coatings Of
size, with the last of which powdered
bronze is mixed. A brush dipped in the
powdered bronze is then used for Ornamen-
tai portions, which are first FURNISHED and
afterward vanished with Damar varnish
The designs for decorative frames are
nodded in lockwood molds, each frame re-
ceiving separately nodded ornament
Among the most fashionable are those
made as copies of Florentine frames, but
these are only manufactured to order, and
are often in imitation of rich carvings.
A great deal of the good effect of frame
depends upon the size and quality Of the
margin. OF these, technically known as
mats, there are three varieties, coming re-
spectively from Germany, Paris and Lon
don. The German mats are rounded at the
edge, those from Paris are square, and the
English are plain fiat bristol boards. Gid
ing is introduced occasionally into them all
Panel frames to hold three or more pictures
are very little in demand in this city unless
for celebrated pictures brought from abroad
or by special artists For oil paintings
deep frames are usually sold, for engrav-
ings, water colors and photographs, flat
ones are preferred. Porcelain is rarely
used here now, although the introduction
of medaIlions is occasionally ordered. a
very high-priced frame may value S4OO
but this, of course, would be something
special
Some years ago plain gilded headings ol
holdings were greatly in favor for engrav
ings, but this has entirely gone out of fash
ion. Following them, as Il relief to then
severity of style, embossed velvet insertions
first appeared about seven years ago
Frames for valuable pictures are preferred
of heavy bronze or rich gilt, and even the
frosted frames which were in universal de
mand while ago are less cared for now, as
they have been initiated in common ma
terial.
1t is rather interesting to learn the in
fuence that fashion has upon various de
partments of business. At first sight We
would hardly be disposed to imagine thai
weddings and picture dealers had much IL
/
Since cart acquired its recent popularity
it has been deemed the correct thing tt
offer a picture as bridal gift, and it il
certainly one that is likely to increase il
popularity, Few people are overloaded
with paintings, and a young couple woulc
probably find better use for any number
of pictures than for an indefinite number
of soup ladies and coffee pots. One youns
lady in high society received thirty-tw
clocks upon her wedding day. How mucf
better it would have been for her had they
been pictures. One can scarcely conceive
of any house in which thirty-two time
pieces, exclusive of watches, could be tol
Grated.
A large element in the expense of pic
ture frame is the glass. This may be o
the commonest or of the finest crystal
Beveled glass is rarely used in this coun
try for the purpose, although in France
and Italy it is often met with. For plail
wooden frames oak is much used; SO, too
is bird Sc eye maple, but as we have seen
the demand for wooden frames is on tn
decrease, mainly because SO many of inte
rior quality have been manufactured
No definite rule can be given as to tn
choice of picture frame; it must remai
a matter of taste, and is largely dependen
upon fashion. Just now those Of bronz
take the lead, alike for oil paintings
water colors, etchings and engravings, bu
soon public taste may demand a revival O
carved and nodded woods and in spite @
an acknowledged admiration for the perfec
workmanship of high-class gilders and bun
nishers, it must be admitted that no moo
ern work can outrival the exquisite carving
of earlier periods Certainly the introduC
ton of plush for frames has not added t
their artistic value, and this is a fashiO
which will scarcely be long lived, althOug
just at present such frames are largel
bought Some of the most effective whic
we have seen in gilt are those on whic
there is a combination of frosted work an
what has the appearance Of carving in hig
relief, although in reality it is only the rC
suit of well-molded ornament laid upon tn
fiat surface Many amateur artists ful
ther decorate gilded frames in colors, bu
these attempts are not very successful,
being difficult matter to carry out a de
sign in oils upon gilt surface.
Every one who has travelled in Europ
is familiar with the effect of the dead levt
gold frames which were SO much used
hundred years ago, and which are ofte
found in churches and monasteries, an
never met with here So, too, if we con
slider foreign frames we reach the exquisit
carvings in light wood which are universe
in Switzerland and Germany, and whic
find their way here as photograph frames
and in which so large a trade is done a
fashionable watering places. Side by sid
with them are those of leather, which a
one time were very greatly in demand
whether in plain, colored, vanished o
nodded feathers. These are exquisitel
made by the Hungarians, and for sma
picture frames, portrait stands, &c, ar
much admired. All, or almost all, tn
gilded and bronze frames in demand her
are of domestic manufacture, and are quit
distinct in design and coloring from any
thing European We Weunderstand that the
are so far equal, if not superior, to those @
foreign make, that orders are constant
received here from England and France.
The Deadly Tick.
Tho Con Toeo Nol;fornio Herald SaUc