Vintage Picture Frames Could Be Worth More Than You Thought

Vintage and antique picture and art frames are a common sight in many thrift stores and other secondhand venues, like antique dealers, flea markets, and estate sales. Sometimes over a century old, decorative antique picture frames in solid wood are a great find that can not only be used to beautifully house whatever you put in them, but may also be valuable to resell through online markets like eBay or Etsy to collectors and others looking for stylish ways to display photos and art. With a little knowledge about how antique frames are made and what to look for, you can easily identify your favorite finds as well as determine what kind of resale value they may have.

Some of the most beautiful and intricately wrought frames are typically the most valuable, although many solid wood frames from the early 20th century and before have value on the resale market. Common details on more ornate frames include scrollwork, botanical motifs, and neoclassical accents, like columns and acanthus leaves. Other frames are more interest-specific, boasting sea imagery, military symbols, or agricultural themes.

One of the best ways to understand the origins of a frame is to look for signs of its age. Older frames will usually be made from solid wood rather than veneer and will be heavier overall. They will also have hardware like clips and hanging wire that show age and patina. The back of the frame will typically be simple and unadorned, with discoloration from spending time against the wall and possible wormholes.

In the early 19th century, many frames would have been hand-hewn and hand-carved as they had been in previous centuries, but slowly, the plaster composite method would begin to dominate frame construction. This usually involved a frame base in solid wood with plaster detailing stuck to the surface that had been created from molds, which was then covered in a layer of gesso. Looking at the side and any cracks in the frame can help you determine if it's a composite or carved frame, with some frames involving a little of both.

These details would usually be painted with a mix of gold paint and gold leaf detailing, which can also be a sign of an older frame versus a later reproduction, painted only with a metallic finish. Some frames may also have manufacturers' marks and dates on the back that can help identify their origin.

These beautiful frames can be stunning all on their own, even without any contents inside. Hang an assortment of them on a wall in a gallery-wall style grouping or as a layered assemblage to add texture and interest to walls without creating too much visual busyness. You can also use them empty to create layers and dimensions behind a shelf tableau. These frames also look stunning holding your favorite art prints, original paintings, or photos. Or, frame a mirror inside. You can also make it into a functional shelf by adding a wood casing and slender boards, just one of many other creative ways to repurpose old picture frames. 

While many of these frames may cost you a few bucks in a thrift store or estate sale, the resale value on truly ornate and unusual antique frames can be in the hundreds of dollars range, particularly if they are in good condition. Many resellers restore damaged or flawed pieces by refinishing, re-gilding, and sealing any cracks or damage to make them as good as new, resulting in a higher profit margin for the finished piece.