Featured Frame of the Week!

This 18th century frame from the Lowy collection was deaccessioned from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1992. When Lowy Frame and Restoring Co. acquired it, the frame was covered with a black layer of dirt and grime, obscuring the gilded carvings and vert antique ground panels, which were found to be in remarkable condition underneath.

A fabulous frame of reverse profile, featuring inner continuous carving of clustered fruit, panels decorated with spread-winged birds at corners connected by elaborately scrolled leaf ornament, and outer carving of a continuous-wing motif.

After Lowy’s tireless restorers painstakingly removed the buildup, we discovered an intricate and enigmatic design. Because the frame incorporates a range of exemplary patterns and motifs from many different artistic styles, its provenance is not entirely certain. Most experts believe the frame is Italian, but Larry Shar wouldn’t rule out Germany or even England. In any event, as the phoenixes suggest, this frame should be immortal!

17th-century Syrian Dish with Phoenixes, image courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Call 212-861-8585 or join our mailing list to find out more about Lowy Frame and Restoring Co.’s collection of over 5,000 antique frames, the largest anywhere in the world.

The next generation of Lowy: a framer is born.

Ben Shar, Brad’s son and Larry’s grandson, learns to burnish and gild at a demo by Wayne Reynolds.  His nursery school was here on a tour, and it was amazing how they responded!  Take a look through the photos and see for yourself.

The Lowy All Souls Tour

Architectural Digest Home Design Show

Ever wanted to feel a piece of gold leaf?  Or gild a frame?  Or watch as a conservator inpaints losses on a painting?  Stop by the Lowy booth at the 2011 Architectural Digest Home Design Show and these dreams, and many more, can come true!  This year’s show runs from March 17th through March 20th.  Lowy can be found at booth #436.  Learn more about the show here: http://www.archdigesthomeshow.com/

Just Folking Around…

You heard it right, Lowy is celebrating all things folk.  Come and visit Just Folk Frames: An Online Exhibition & Sale. Check out our unique selection of affordable folk frames from the extensive Lowy collection.  http://lowyonline.com/justfolk.php

A Change of Taste Opening Night: a few select pictures

A Change of Taste Makes the New York Times

Our exhibition made the Times!  Check out their article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/20/garden/20shows.html?scp=2&sq=lowy&st=cse.

But more importantly, make sure you stop by!  It’s not often that we have a frame exhibition, it’s a rare and wonderful show filled with some pretty gorgeous frames.

A Change of Taste: From the Gilded Age to the Craftsman Aesthetic

We’re having a frame exhibition!  I think we’ve had maybe only one of these before, so get on down to Lowy to check it out!

The details:  the exhibition will chronicle the momentous change of taste in American picture frames from the mass-produced ornamentation of the 19th Century to the elegant artistry of the Arts & Crafts movement.  Many of the frames on display are signed and dated by their makers.  The exhibit is made up of frames primarily from Lowy’s extensive collection, as well as extraordinary frames from the collections of Edgar Smith, The Gill & Lagodich Gallery, NY and Gold Leaf Studios, Washington, D.C.

The frames will be on display at Lowy, 223 E. 80th Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues, NYC from January 24 – April 14, 2011.  The exhibition is open to the public Monday – Friday, 10am – 4pm.