Italian, Venice
Frame, 17th century
Gilded wood, 128.5 x 98 x 15 cm (50 9/16 x 38 9/16 x 5 7/8 in.)
This ornate wide, vertical Italian frame consists of several linear, contiguous strips of repetitive designs, each fashioned in low-relief from gilded wood. Starting from the outside and moving inward, the outer edge has rope-like shallow loops anchored to the side of the frame with a repeating floral design. Inside these loops, the widest strip is an entangled mix of nude figures and animals among vines and foliage. The next strip is a much narrower band of somewhat more distinct rounded forms separated by ornate v-shaped decorations. Next is a small band of carved berries and leaves. The next band of figures and animals among leaves and vines. The last interior band is a comparatively simple, thin strip of berries and leaves.
Long Gallery
Commentary
Isabella Stewart Gardner kept meticulous records of many of her acquisitions. In keeping with this legacy, object information is continually being reviewed, updated, and enriched in order to give greater access to the collection.