Framing Art with Art

With the development of the hand-held camera by George Eastman in 1888, photography became a hobby and family photos appeared in drawing rooms everywhere. The Russian royal family shared in this obsession that swept across the European continent. The family took cameras with them everywhere and took great pleasure in creating family albums that told stories both personal and historical. The choicest photos, however, were not relegated to albums but displayed in frames throughout their residences (see picture of Nicholas II’s desk, below). The Tsarina Alexandra’s personal rooms especially were filled to the overflowing with family photographs; many of them framed in an exquisite Fabergé creation. The styles most often represented were neo-classical Louis XV and Empire styles. While gold was the metal of choice in the crafting of these frames, various other metals including copper and silver were incorporated to add color and dimension but also to add strength since gold is a very soft metal and inappropriate to use alone. Another very popular design was use of guilloche enamel. The technique, which was devised in France and perfected by Fabergé, consists of machine engraving the metal surface with fine lines in regular patterns whether that is parallel, wavy, or sunburst. The pattern would then be enameled and a gloss finish was added for brilliance. Of course, many of the frames were encrusted with gemstones. But it was not only the fronts of the frames that were meticulously executed. Fabergé work masters also paid a great deal of attention to the backs of the frames. They were fitted with thin sheets of ivory and fastened with the minutest screws. Smaller frames (under 2 inches) were fitted with mother-of-pearl on the backs. The metal struts, which held up the frames, were usually done in decorative scroll patterns.