A Charming Pair of Late Victorian Aesthetic Movement Gilt-Bronze/Ormolu-Mounted Frames, Housing Hand-Coloured Prints/Watercolours, 'Fairy Tales' and 'Holiday Lesson'

This delightful pair of pictures epitomises the delicate artistry and sentimental subject matter favoured in late Victorian Britain. Each frame holds an evocative image depicting scenes of idyllic, gentle rural life, titled 'Fairy Tales' and 'Holiday Lesson.'

The Images: The images, likely high-quality, hand-coloured prints or small watercolours, capture the innocence of childhood and the warmth of family life against a backdrop of quintessential English thatched cottages and gardens:

'Fairy Tales' (Image on the left): Depicts a mother or older sister seated outdoors by a quaint stone well or pump, engaged with two young children. The atmosphere is one of shared stories and quiet, bucolic joy, typical of the era's idealisation of childhood.

'Holiday Lesson' (Image on the right/detail): Features a woman seated in a garden reading, presumably a lesson, to a small child who is accompanied by a faithful dog. The scene is one of tranquil learning and maternal guidance amidst a lush, summery setting.

These subjects resonate deeply with the era's focus on moral instruction and the celebration of the domestic sphere. While the original artists of the illustrations are not immediately identifiable, the style is characteristic of popular Victorian illustrators or miniaturists of the time.

The Frames: The pictures are housed in exceptional, highly decorative frames typical of the Aesthetic Movement and late Victorian period, dating them to approximately c. 1880–1900.

The frames appear to be crafted from gilt-bronze or a heavy ormolu (gilded brass/bronze), giving them a substantial and luxurious feel.

They feature a complex, openwork (pierced) decorative border, intricately cast with stylised foliage, perhaps incorporating ivy or acanthus leaves. This ornate, naturalistic yet formal detailing is a hallmark of the Aesthetic Movement's rejection of purely classical lines in favour of 'Art for Art's Sake.'

The frames are designed as small standing easel frames, perfect for display on a mantelpiece, dressing table, or cabinet.

This pair would make a distinguished addition to any collection of fine late-19th-century decorative arts, and they are particularly suited for interiors that favour a classic, refined, or English Country House aesthetic. They are a true testament to the quality and charming sentimentality of the Victorian decorative tradition.

Condition Report

This is a well-preserved and attractive pair that presents very well. The combination of the exceptional Aesthetic Movement frames and the charming, well-kept sentimental images offers a highly decorative and collectable item.

Measurement

Height:       17 cm   /     6.7 inches

Width:        13 cm   /     4.9 inches

Depth:        1 cm     /      0.2 inches

Weight:      0.1 k.g   /     0.2 lbs