Antique frames often feel conclusive at first glance. Heavy wood, gilt surfaces, age cracking, and ornate carving create the impression of originality and completeness, encouraging the belief that the artwork and frame have always belonged together. Online listings, estate descriptions, and gallery settings reinforce this assumption by presenting visual harmony as historical evidence. Understanding how antique frames are actually interpreted matters because treating stylistic compatibility as proof can quietly introduce attribution risk, weaken credibility, and create exposure once pairing history is questioned.
DJR Real vs. Fake™ guides are designed to help readers understand what commonly goes wrong before money, reputation, or documentation is committed.
This guide explains how professionals think about antique frames, focusing on:
Where public assumptions about original framing break down
Why period style does not establish original association
How frames are reused, replaced, and circulated independently of artwork
Where uncertainty enters when visual fit is treated as evidence
Inside this guide, readers will learn how to:
Separate frame age from artwork origin
Recognize why antique frames are frequently later additions
Understand how reframing affects attribution and risk
Identify when restraint is the correct decision
Avoid listing or insuring artwork as “originally framed” without support
Decide when professional escalation may or may not make sense
This guide does not authenticate items or assign value.
Its purpose is to restore clarity, enforce restraint, and prevent irreversible mistakes at the decision stage.
Digital Download — PDF • 3 Pages • Instant Access
Antique frames often feel conclusive at first glance. Heavy wood, gilt surfaces, age cracking, and ornate carving create the impression of originality and completeness, encouraging the belief that the artwork and frame have always belonged together. Online listings, estate descriptions, and gallery settings reinforce this assumption by presenting visual harmony as historical evidence. Understanding how antique frames are actually interpreted matters because treating stylistic compatibility as proof can quietly introduce attribution risk, weaken credibility, and create exposure once pairing history is questioned.
DJR Real vs. Fake™ guides are designed to help readers understand what commonly goes wrong before money, reputation, or documentation is committed.
This guide explains how professionals think about antique frames, focusing on:
Where public assumptions about original framing break down
Why period style does not establish original association
How frames are reused, replaced, and circulated independently of artwork
Where uncertainty enters when visual fit is treated as evidence
Inside this guide, readers will learn how to:
Separate frame age from artwork origin
Recognize why antique frames are frequently later additions
Understand how reframing affects attribution and risk
Identify when restraint is the correct decision
Avoid listing or insuring artwork as “originally framed” without support
Decide when professional escalation may or may not make sense
This guide does not authenticate items or assign value.
Its purpose is to restore clarity, enforce restraint, and prevent irreversible mistakes at the decision stage.
Digital Download — PDF • 3 Pages • Instant Access
Image 1 of 1