Easel Back Photo Frame
An easel back photo frame holds cherished portraits upright with a hinged stand, bringing period charm to any mantelpiece or desk.
Easel Back Photo Frame
When you search for an easel back photo frame, you look for domestic display pieces designed to showcase portrait photographs on flat surfaces. The selections span picture frames and photo frames from the Victorian, Edwardian, and George V periods, alongside mid-20th century Italian examples.
The most common versions on this page are sterling silver pieces featuring wooden, velvet, fabric, or leather backs with integrated folding stands. Rectangular, oval, circular, and heart shapes dominate the forms, often produced by silversmiths in Birmingham and Chester during the early twentieth century.
Makers such as William Comyns, Henry Matthews, and Walker & Hall appear frequently in the record. Alongside standard English silver, the listings include continental variants such as Italian silver and brass items.
How they were made
Craftsmen built the front mounts using sterling silver or 800 silver, employing techniques like embossing, engraving, piercing, and enamelling to decorate the metal borders. Many pieces utilise shaped glass to protect the photograph beneath.
The structural backing relied on sturdy materials like oak, wood, black leather, blue velvet, or fabric fitted with a hinged easel leg for stability. Silversmiths mounted the metal fronts onto these supportive backing boards using pins or secure bezels.
Easel Back Photo Frame Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for easel back photo frame among the pieces listed under this phrase on Sellingantiques today, from the lower quarter to the upper quarter. They describe what is for sale here now, not the wider market.
Listings feature sterling silver, 800 silver, glass, velvet, wood, fabric, and leather across Victorian, Edwardian, and George V periods.
What varies in quality
The weight and gauge of the silver front plate establish the primary distinction between standard production and substantial work. Thicker silver withstands decades of polishing without distortion around the embossed or engraved details.
The choice of backing materials and the engineering of the hinged easel stand dictate the longevity of each piece. Oak and leather supports with original, smoothly functioning hinges outlast fabric and velvet variants that experience wear over time.
William Comyns·Henry Matthews·Walker & Hall·Pinci Roma
The Easel Back Photo Frame Glossary
- Easel back
- A hinged support attached to the reverse of a frame that allows it to stand upright on a flat surface. This construction lets the display rest at a slight angle.
- Sterling silver
- An alloy consisting of pure silver and other metals, typically copper, standardly marked for British manufacture. It provides the bright reflective surface seen on most period frames.
- Hallmark
- A set of official marks stamped onto precious metals indicating the assay office, purity, and year of manufacture. Birmingham and Chester offices appear frequently in these records.
- Embossing
- A metalworking technique where the artisan hammers or presses a design from the reverse to raise relief patterns on the front. Floral and scroll motifs often emerge this way.
Easel Back Photo Frame: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I change the photograph?
Most period frames secure the photograph behind glass using small turn-buttons or sliding wooden backing panels held by clips.
Lift or rotate these fasteners to remove the backboard and insert your portrait safely.
Can these frames sit portrait and landscape?
Certain examples feature a two-way picture frame design with a multifaceted or multi-directional easel mechanism.
This allows the owner to orient the display vertically or horizontally depending on the photograph.
What is the backing usually made of?
Period frames typically utilise sturdy timber such as oak, or heavy card covered in black leather, blue velvet, or fabric.
The supporting easel leg is hinged directly to this backboard to bear the weight of the metal frame.
How should I clean silver frames?
Use a specialised, non-abrasive silver cloth to gently polish the metal mounts while avoiding contact with the fabric or leather backing.
Take care around embossed or engraved details to preserve the original finish.