Round Framed Art
Round framed art encompasses circular wall mirrors, portraits and watercolours housed within curved timber, metal or stone borders.
Round Framed Art
Round framed art covers a varied selection of circular pieces designed for wall hanging or display, anchored by the search phrase round framed art. The objects found here span several centuries, reaching from the eighteenth century through the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
The selection includes portrait miniatures, watercolours, needlework pictures and wall mirrors. Forms range from alabaster and copper mirrors to delicate nineteenth century coastal watercolours and eighteenth century portrait miniatures.
Mirrors take several distinctive shapes, including convex witch's mirrors and Art Deco wall designs. Painted works are secured behind glass in circular wooden or gilded borders.
How they were made
Makers utilised traditional materials such as wood, glass, paper, alabaster, metal, mahogany and chrome to construct these circular pieces. Frames are fashioned from timber, ebonised materials, metal or carved stone to enclose the artwork or mirror glass securely.
Works on paper employ watercolour and print techniques, while needlework pieces utilise textile threads stitched to form floral patterns. Portrait miniatures capture fine detail by hand on paper or underlying surfaces before being sealed beneath protective glass.
Round Framed Art Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for round framed art 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.
Materials utilised across the pieces include chrome, alabaster, mahogany, copper, watercolour and paper.
What varies in quality
Quality differences rest in the fineness of the painting, the precision of the frame construction and the selection of materials. Finely painted watercolours and detailed portrait miniatures demonstrate greater artistic skill than standard prints.
Materials dictate durability and aesthetic weight, where solid alabaster, polished chrome, heavy mahogany and gilt frames elevate the piece above simpler constructions. The integration of bevelled glass and original mounting hardware distinguishes superior examples.
Edgar Woollatt·Lady Francis Herbert·Medici
The Round Framed Art Glossary
- Portrait miniature
- A small, highly detailed painting, usually depicting a person, executed on materials such as vellum, card or paper. These portable artworks were often housed in protective ebonised or wooden frames.
- Convex mirror
- A circular mirror with a curved, outward-bulging glass surface that reflects a wide, panoramic view of the room. Often called sorcerer's or witch's mirrors, they frequently feature decorative round frames.
- Ebonised
- Wood that has been treated or stained to imitate the dark, dense appearance of ebony. This finish provides a sharp, contrasting border for miniatures and works on paper.
- Alabaster
- A fine-grained, translucent stone used to carve solid circular mirror frames. Its natural veining gives each piece a distinct pattern.
- Bevelled glass
- Mirror or picture glass with edges cut and polished at an angle. This technique creates a framed border effect within the glass itself.
Round Framed Art: Frequently Asked Questions
How are portrait miniatures framed?
Portrait miniatures are typically housed in small, protective wooden or ebonised circular frames under glass. This enclosure protected the delicate painted surface from dust and damage.
Examples from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries demonstrate this traditional method of preservation.
What materials make up these frames?
Frames are constructed from a variety of materials including wood, mahogany, copper, chrome, alabaster and gilt. Each material reflects the stylistic preferences of its period, from Georgian wood to Art Deco chrome.
The choice of material shapes the visual weight of the hanging piece.
How do I date a round mirror?
Dating relies on observing the materials, construction techniques and stylistic markers such as Art Deco geometric lines or Victorian alabaster carving. Metal types like chrome indicate twentieth century manufacture, while mahogany points towards earlier periods.
Comparing the backing and glass bevelling provides further chronological clues.