Baroque picture frames: ornate frames for photos, paintings and mirrors
A baroque picture frame turns a photograph or painting into a showpiece. Sweeping mouldings, leaf ornaments and a finish in gold, silver or aged white draw the eye straight to the image. At the same time, the frame becomes a feature in its own right, whether it stands on a chest of drawers or hangs on the wall.
Barockgrosshandel supplies retailers, hotels, interior designers and private customers with baroque picture frames by Casa Padrino. The range runs from small photo frames for 13 x 18 cm prints to a wooden frame measuring 150 x 160 cm that can even surround a television. Depending on size and material, prices range from around €25 to about €850. This page explains how to recognise a good baroque frame and how to use it in a room.
Characteristics of baroque picture frames
The hallmark of a baroque frame is its deep, stepped profile. A bold outer roll usually gives way to hollows and fine beading towards the centre. Ornaments stand out at the corners and at the midpoint of each side: acanthus leaves, shells, rocailles and scrolls. Some designs feature small cherubs that frame the picture like a stage.
The finish determines the overall effect. Gold baroque frames feel warm and celebratory, while silver and silver leaf look cooler and more contemporary. Frames with an antique finish in cream, white or brown deliberately show patina in the recesses. This creates depth and brings out the relief. A gold baroque frame with an antique finish is particularly well suited to old paintings and black and white family photos.
Materials: solid wood, bronze, ceramic and cast resin
Large baroque frames are usually made of wood. The profile is milled or carved, the ornaments are applied and the frame is then painted, gilded or silvered. A solid wood frame with an antique finish is a piece of furniture in miniature and weighs accordingly, so it needs a secure wall fixing.
Tabletop frames are also available in bronze or ceramic. A handmade double frame in bronze holds two photos and stands firmly on a console table or desk. Ceramic frames with coloured glazes and crystal glass embellishments are more decorative object than simple holder. Smaller formats and multi-aperture frames are often made of cast resin, which reproduces fine detail crisply and keeps the weight down.
Sizes and planning: from photo frames to wall frames
Small baroque frames start at around 15 x 15 cm external size. A frame of roughly 20 x 24 cm takes a 13 x 18 cm photo. Always note the difference between the external size and the picture size, as the wide moulding takes up a few centimetres on each side. Multi-aperture frames with three or seven openings bring a whole series of pictures together in one piece.
Large baroque style frames measuring 85 x 64 cm, 144 x 84 cm or 150 x 160 cm are intended for paintings, mirrors or screens. Measure the artwork precisely and plan the gap to any furniture below. Above a chest of drawers or sideboard, 20 to 30 cm of space looks balanced, and the frame should be roughly two thirds of the width of the furniture.
Multi-aperture frames follow a rule of their own. Each opening should match the size of your prints, otherwise you will need to trim the photos. A seven-aperture frame measuring 41 x 45 cm works well as a family gallery on a sideboard or in the hallway.
Baroque frames for mirrors and televisions
Many enquiries concern baroque mirror frames. An open baroque frame can be fitted with mirror glass cut to size. If you would rather have a finished piece, you will find a dedicated selection of baroque mirrors with carved frames. Frames and mirrors in the same design language combine on one wall to create a calm, cohesive look.
A large wooden frame in silver leaf can also surround a television. The screen then visually disappears into a picture field and interferes less with the period character of the room. Make sure there is enough space for ventilation and a route for cables behind the frame. Suitable sizes can be found among the large baroque style picture frames.
Combining frames in a room
Baroque picture frames are at their best in groups. A salon hang of several frames in different sizes but with the same finish looks intentional and orderly. Mix sizes rather than colours. On a console table, two or three tabletop frames beside a vase or candlestick are quite enough.
Frame and picture need not come from the same period. A modern art print in a gold frame creates an appealing contrast. You will find oil paintings in the selection of baroque paintings and further accessories under baroque decor. If you are furnishing a whole room, start with the baroque furniture and add the frames last.
Baroque picture frames for hotels, restaurants and retail
In hotels and restaurants, baroque style picture frames contribute a great deal to the atmosphere. In the lobby they frame portraits or historic views, and in corridors they break up long walls. Large wall frames above a bed or sofa suit suites particularly well. In commercial settings, hard-wearing finishes and secure fixings matter even more than in a private home.
As a wholesaler, Barockgrosshandel works with retailers and interior designers. When fitting out several rooms, a consistent line of frames is worthwhile so that corridors and rooms match. The overview of all baroque style picture frames helps you choose by colour and size.
Caring for gold and silver frames
Gilded and silvered surfaces are best cleaned dry. A soft brush lifts dust from the ornaments and a microfibre cloth picks it up from smooth areas. Water, glass cleaner and abrasives can damage the finish and patina, so always spray glass cleaner onto the cloth and never directly onto the frame.
Wooden frames prefer a stable room climate away from direct heat from radiators. Strong sunlight can fade photos and coloured finishes. Hang heavy frames from two points so that they stay level and the load is spread.
Matching pieces from our range
View all items in Picture Frames
Frequently asked questions
What size baroque frame do I need for a 13 x 18 cm photo?
A baroque picture frame with an external size of around 20 x 24 cm is designed for 13 x 18 cm photos. The wide moulding takes up a few centimetres on each side, so always check the stated picture size and not just the external dimensions.
Gold or silver: which baroque frame suits me?
Gold looks warm and festive and goes well with wood tones, cream and dark fabrics. Silver and silver leaf look cooler and blend nicely into grey, white or blue rooms. Frames with an antique finish in white or cream are the most understated choice.
Can I use a baroque picture frame as a mirror?
Yes, an open frame can be fitted with mirror glass cut to size. Make sure the rebate is deep enough and the hanging fixings can carry the extra weight. Alternatively, there are ready-made baroque mirrors with carved frames.
Are there large baroque style frames for paintings?
The range includes large wooden frames, for example 85 x 64 cm, 144 x 84 cm or 150 x 160 cm. They are suitable for paintings, mirrors and even for framing a television. A sturdy wall fixing is essential for these sizes.
What are baroque picture frames made of?
Large frames are mostly made of wood with gilding, silvering or an antique finish. Tabletop frames are also available in bronze or ceramic. Smaller frames and multi-aperture frames are often made of cast resin, which reproduces fine ornaments well.
How do I clean a gilded frame?
Only dry, using a soft brush for the ornaments and a microfibre cloth for smooth surfaces. Water and cleaning products can damage the finish. Spray glass cleaner onto the cloth, not onto the frame.
Do you also supply picture frames to hotels and retailers?
Yes, Barockgrosshandel supplies hotels, restaurants, interior designers and retailers as well as private customers. For larger projects, a consistent line of frames across several rooms is worthwhile. Feel free to get in touch with your plans.
How do I hang a heavy baroque frame securely?
Use two hanging points with wall plugs suited to the wall material. This spreads the weight and keeps the frame level. For very large wooden frames, a hanging rail or a second pair of hands during installation is a good idea.