Antique French Miniature Frame Ornament

Antique French Miniature Frame Ornament

Approx. 3” x 2 ½”

A beautifully detailed antique French miniature frame from the late 19th–early 20th century, featuring a sculptural bow crest and an intricate garland border. The frame retains its original glass and back tabs and has been repurposed to hold a fragment of 19th-century French handwritten script with a vivid red notary stamp.

Finished with deep green velvet ribbon sourced in Paris from the city’s oldest passementerie house.

Styling

A striking ornament for the tree, yet just as lovely displayed year-round. Hang it from a cabinet knob, incorporate it into a vignette, or rest it against a stack of books where its bow crest and antique script can quietly stand out.

Historical Context

Miniature frames with bow crests and decorative borders were popular in France during the Belle Époque (circa 1890–1910). They were often used for small portraits or devotional images. The handwritten document inside includes an authentic 19th-century French notarial stamp. The velvet ribbon comes from the oldest passementerie atelier in Paris, known for more than two centuries of traditional craftsmanship.