THE PIECE

A breathtaking turn-of-the-century wedding portrait, dated May 22, 1902, preserved in an exceptional hand-carved round frame bursting with roses, buds, and curling vines. The frame is made of solid hardwood with deep relief carving—warm honey-amber in tone, rich with patina, and glowing under light. The oval glass reveals a young couple on their wedding day: Wm. Elmer Freeman, age 24, and Emma Zetta Shearer, age 22, documented in elegant period handwriting on the back.

It’s an heirloom-quality artifact—equal parts sculpture, history, and fine portraiture.

DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION

• Era of Frame: Late 1800s–early 1900s

• Material: Solid carved hardwood (likely oak or chestnut)

• Carving: Deep floral relief with roses, buds, and leafy stems

• Finish: Warm honey-amber stain with natural age crackling and patina

• Shape: Full circular form with inset oval portrait window

• Glass: Original curved oval glass

• Photography: Early gelatin silver print, beautifully preserved

The craftsmanship is extravagant, especially for a wedding portrait—this would have been a premium, possibly custom-made frame.

HISTORY & PROVENANCE

The handwritten inscription on the back confirms:

“Wm. Elmer Freeman – Age 24
Emma Zetta Shearer – Age 22
May 22, 1902
Wedding Picture”

This moves the piece from “beautiful antique” into “traceable historical artifact.”
The couple’s clothing—his high stiff collar and bowtie, her ruffled cotton-and-lace bodice—matches the fashion of the early Edwardian era.

Wedding portraits were sacred investments for families at this time. A carved circular frame of this quality suggests:

→ small-town affluence
→ importance of the family lineage
→ preservation as a generational heirloom

This is a rare level of intact provenance.

CONDITION

Beautiful antique condition:

• Carvings remain crisp and dimensional

• Finish shows natural century-old patina and light surface wear

• Glass is clear and intact

• Photograph is clean, sharp, and evenly toned

• Backing paper replaced at some point, but inscription preserved

• Secure hanging hardware installed

Displays flawlessly.

PRODUCT DETAILS

• Date: 1902 (photo), 1890–1910 (frame)

• Material: Solid carved hardwood

• Type: Original wedding portrait with documented provenance

• Shape: Round frame with oval window

• Size: (You can give me dimensions if you want them added)

• Display: Ready to hang

WHY IT BELONGS IN YOUR HOME

This piece is more than décor—it’s a portal to 1902. The combination of:

→ a fully carved round floral frame
→ original hand-labeled wedding portrait
→ immaculate preservation

…makes it a centerpiece item for gallery walls, Victorian-inspired rooms, cottage or farmhouse interiors, or collectors of early photography.

It adds warmth, romance, and history to any space.