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Mid-Century Modern Ribbed Wood Picture Frame With Original Aged Patina (c. 1950–1965)
  • Mid-Century Modern Ribbed Wood Picture Frame With Original Aged Patina (c. 1950–1965)
  • Mid-Century Modern Ribbed Wood Picture Frame With Original Aged Patina (c. 1950–1965)
  • Mid-Century Modern Ribbed Wood Picture Frame With Original Aged Patina (c. 1950–1965)
  • Mid-Century Modern Ribbed Wood Picture Frame With Original Aged Patina (c. 1950–1965)
  • Mid-Century Modern Ribbed Wood Picture Frame With Original Aged Patina (c. 1950–1965)
  • Mid-Century Modern Ribbed Wood Picture Frame With Original Aged Patina (c. 1950–1965)
Mid-Century Modern Ribbed Wood Picture Frame With Original Aged Patina (c. 1950–1965)
$89.00

THE PIECE

A beautifully preserved Mid-Century Modern solid-wood frame featuring a horizontal ribbed profile with a subtly tapered interior edge. The finish shows decades of natural oxidation: warm honeyed wood tones beneath layers of aged green, ochre, and muted red pigments — the kind of surface patina that can only occur with genuine mid-century lacquer breakdown, not reproduction distressing.

Minimalist but full of character, this frame embodies the 1950s–60s design philosophy: simple geometric lines, honest materials, and organic warmth. Its clean profile makes it suitable for modern interiors, but the aged color ghosting elevates it into a striking decorative object on its own.

DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION

  • Material: Solid carved or milled softwood with ribbed surface pattern

  • Profile: Narrow, rectangular mid-century molding with a beveled inner lip

  • Finish:
    → Original mid-century lacquer/paint, now oxidized
    → Natural red–green–yellow tonal drift from UV exposure and age

  • Craftsmanship: Clean miter joints, machine-cut ribs, lightweight construction

  • Backing/Glass: Removed; the frame is currently empty

  • Patina: Aged in all the right ways — heat, sun, and oxidation producing a layered, organic tone variation

  • Condition: Excellent structural integrity with surface wear consistent with 60–70 years of age

DATE & HISTORICAL CONTEXT

Frames with ribbed or “fluted” profiles became popular in the 1950s and early 1960s, paralleling the rise of Scandinavian design and American MCM minimalism. The subtle ornamentation — ribbing instead of carving — was common in department store frames, art studios, and home decor catalogs of the era.

The lightly painted finish that has since oxidized is typical of mid-century pigment formulation, which shifts into those sage-green and clay-red tones over time.

This type of frame would originally have held:

  • watercolor landscapes,

  • modernist prints,

  • small posters,

  • family portraits,

  • or early color photography.

Today it’s valued for its clean lines and authentic patina — the kind designers love for layered, collected interiors.

VALUE ESTIMATE (Interior Design / Retail)

Because of its authentic mid-century age, patina, and decorative quality:

  • Designer / boutique retail: $45 – $85

  • Collector / antique shop: $30 – $55

  • High-end styled gallery wall installation: $90+ paired with artwork

The ribbed profile and aged coloration make this one very desirable for moody, atmospheric rooms — especially with dark walls like yours.

META DESCRIPTION

A genuine Mid-Century Modern ribbed wood frame (c.1950–1965) featuring original oxidized lacquer, warm tonal patina, and clean minimalist lines. A versatile decorative piece for modern, eclectic, or vintage-inspired interiors.

If you want, I can:
✓ write a product listing version
✓ help pair it with the right art or photo style
✓ do a side-by-side comparison with the Victorian frame you posted earlier

Just tell me!

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