Art Nouveau English Sterling Silver Photo Frame

• Birmingham, 1983 by John Bull Ltd.
• Dimensions: 6 1/2 inches height, 5 7/8 inches width

The Art Nouveau movement flourished in France and Britain in the early 1880’s. Very quickly, the movement became a dominant aesthetic style in Western Europe and the United States. It featured rapid social and technological change as industrialization, mass production, and urbanization accelerated. It was characterized by distinctive organic forms such as flowing lines, stylized floral ornaments, and the use of symbolic figures. Women were often featured in highly idealised and feminine forms in Art Nouveau posters, paintings and other items like this. Orchids, irises, poppies, and tulips were recurring motifs that were featured in many pieces.

A vintage English Sterling Silver Photo Frame in the Art Nouveau style. In true Art Nouveau fashion, this silver photo frame is embellished with an impressive floral decoration and accented with foliage. To add to the distinction of this piece, is the charming hand-hammered design which is quite appealing. The hand-hammered design advocated human craftsmanship rather than machine. The hammered effect isn’t perfect – that is the beauty of it as it reflects the human workmanship when designing this piece. The shape of the Photo Frame itself is also in the Art Nouveau style which is another exemplary attribute of this piece.