Vintage Arthur Price silver plate Art Nouveau style picture frame beautiful!! This exquisite picture frame has the look of art nouveau. A lovely velvet back with a silk inner cover and really nice quality.
-
Some minor age related wear.
-
Size: 15 cm wide 21 cm tall frame size. 10 cm wide 14 cm tall picture size.
-
Arthur Price is a Sheffield-based manufacturer of cutlery and silverware, originally established in Birmingham, England in 1902, and later moving to Sheffield. It opened a subsidiary plant again in Birmingham and by the 1950s was the biggest manufacturer of stainless steel cutlery in the country. By the 1990s, the company had shifted towards provision, supply and branding, rather than manufacture, of cutlery. It has been owned and managed by five generations of the Price family.
-
Art Nouveau was an international style of art, architecture, and design that flourished between 1890 and 1910. It was a reaction against the academic styles and industrial mass production of the 19th century, emphasizing natural forms, flowing lines, and handcrafted aesthetics. The movement, which had different names in different countries, aimed to integrate art into everyday life and blur the lines between fine and applied arts.
Here's a more detailed look:
Key Characteristics:
Rejection of Historicism:
Art Nouveau deliberately moved away from the revival of historical styles prevalent in the 19th century, seeking a new visual language.
Influence of Nature:
The style drew heavily from natural forms like flowers, leaves, vines, and insect wings, often incorporating them into flowing, asymmetrical designs.
Emphasis on Line:
Curvilinear, sinuous lines were a hallmark of Art Nouveau, used to create a sense of movement and organic form.
Integration of Arts:
Art Nouveau artists and designers strived to unify all the arts, blurring the distinction between fine arts (painting, sculpture) and decorative arts (furniture, jewelry, posters).
Craftsmanship and Quality:
While embracing some aspects of industrialization, Art Nouveau also championed traditional craftsmanship and the creation of high-quality, beautiful objects.
Origins and Development:
Early Influences:
The Arts and Crafts movement in Britain, with its emphasis on craftsmanship and natural forms, is seen as a precursor to Art Nouveau.
Belgium and France:
Art Nouveau first appeared in Brussels, with architects like Victor Horta pioneering the style in residential and commercial buildings. In Paris, Hector Guimard adopted the style for the Paris Métro entrances.
International Spread:
The style quickly spread throughout Europe and even to the United States, with variations in different countries, such as Jugendstil in Germany, Sezessionstil in Austria, and Modernismo in Spain.
Peak at the 1900 Paris Exposition:
The style reached its peak with the 1900 Paris International Exposition, where artists like Louis Tiffany showcased their Art Nouveau creations.
Key Artists and Designers:
Victor Horta: A pioneering Belgian architect known for his revolutionary designs in Brussels.
Hector Guimard: French architect who designed the distinctive Paris Métro entrances.
Louis Tiffany: American artist known for his stained glass and decorative arts.
Gustav Klimt: Austrian painter whose work embodied Art Nouveau aesthetics.
Alphonse Mucha: Czech artist famous for his posters and decorative panels, particularly those featuring the actress Sarah Bernhardt.
Antoni Gaudí: Catalan architect whose unique, organic designs in Barcelona are considered part of the Art Nouveau movement.
René Lalique: French glass designer known for his exquisite jewelry and decorative objects.
William Morris: British designer, poet, and socialist who influenced the Arts and Crafts movement and, indirectly, Art Nouveau.
Decline:
Art Nouveau's popularity waned after World War I, as new styles like Art Deco and Modernism gained prominence. The movement's association with luxury and its departure from earlier styles contributed to its decline in popularity. However, its influence on design and architecture can still be seen today.