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A Brief History of the Picture Frame

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"What came first: the picture, or the picture frame?"

You might be surprised to know the picture frame actually was around long before photographs – and it’s not even close. The first picture frame has been traced back to the ancient Egyptians. These early frames acted as borders to divide scenes in wall paintings. The earliest known frame is estimated to be from the 2nd century AD and was discovered in an Egyptian tomb. This ancient decorative wooden frame surrounded a portrait of a mummy. Not much changed in picture frame design until the 12th and 13th centuries in Europe. During this time, European frames were made out of a single piece of wood, carved with its raised border and the backing. This method of making frames was difficult, time-consuming, and expensive. Eventually, the design changed and strips of wood were fitted together and then attached to a wooden panel. This change enabled frames to be made faster and cheaper, making them more widely available (though they were still considered a luxury). Throughout the 14th and 15th centuries, the Church would commission frames for altarpieces or other decorative purposes. Wealthy families would also commission private artwork with frames, which lead to picture frames becoming portable – instead of being built directly into their surroundings. It wasn’t until the 1800’s that photographs even came into existence. And today, you can get photo frames in an endless amount of sizes, styles, and materials. GiftWorksPlus is a great example of the wide variety of picture frames available today! From wooden frames with quotes, to engraved wedding frames, to pet picture frames, GiftWorksPlus is sure to have the perfect frame for whatever occasion comes your way. The company is your go-to source for any type of frame – and as a leader in custom frames, if you don’t see what you’re looking for, contact GiftWorksPlus to get a personalized frame that fits exactly what you need.