Frame - tortoise veneer

Tortoise veneer frame
Late 19th century (circa 1875–1900) Dutch workshop handmade frame with tortoise veneer and an unusually deep rebate (inner ledge) with knulled beading pattern.
Outer dimesions of the complete frame: 62.7 x 71.8 cm
Outer dimensions of the inner cassette: 40.5 x 48.4
Inner size (painting size) : 38.5 x 46.3

The frame has slightly convex tortoiseshell veneer bands on the outer frame and a deep, stepped “cassetta” construction as an inner frame. The inner as well as the outer frame have a “knulled bead” or “Dutch ripple bead” moulding. This is very typical for Dutch handmade workshop frames from the late 19th century and is about the most luxurious finishing on a 19th century frame you can get.
It is almost impossible to say if it is real turtleshell or an imitation veneer. If it is imitation it is of the highest quality. I did all the tests that I could do and it seems genuine: The tortoise curved panels are irregular in length, which is typical because with such a valuable material every piece will be used, no regular pattern is repeating anywhere in the veneer. And with the flashlight test the panels seem slightly translucent. The veneer has some irregularities in the surface.

On the inner knulled band of the outer frame there has been a very small restoration (about 4cm) which is hardly visible.
These frames were often used to display valuable baroque or renaissance portrait paintings.

Currently it contains a 20th century handpainted copy of a Miro painting. This replica has a bit of damage to the paint and the varnish at the top middle of the painting. The painting / canvas comes as an extra and can not be subject to any discussion or claim. The auction is for the frame and the value is in the frame.