Antique French Bronze Bow Crest Frame Ornament

Antique French Bronze Ribbon-Top Frame Ornament

2.5” x 2”

A petite antique French cast bronze frame with its original ribbon-top motif, thoughtfully converted into a one-of-a-kind Christmas ornament. The frame measures a highly curated 2.5” x 2” — a miniature scale that makes it especially charming. It features beautifully cast details along the bow and perimeter, paired with a fragment of an 18th–19th century French document bearing an authentic notary stamp. Finished with dusky rose velvet ribbon sourced in Paris from the city’s oldest passementerie house, a workshop that has produced ribbon and trim for more than 200 years. The back of the frame is stamped “Made in France,” a mark associated with late 19th–early 20th century export-quality French bronze frames.

Styling

A subtle, elegant accent for the tree or tied onto a garland, cabinet pull, or winter vignette. Its scale and materials make it equally suited for year-round display as a miniature frame within a styled shelf or tableau.

Historical Context

Cast bronze ribbon-top frames were popular in France from the late 19th to early 20th century and were considered higher-end versions of the era’s miniature portrait frames thanks to their weight, sculptural quality, and durability. The notarial stamp inside comes from an authentic French legal document, adding a quiet layer of history. The velvet ribbon is sourced from the oldest passementerie atelier in Paris, known for more than two centuries of traditional craftsmanship.