I think this type of antique frame, simply known as a Watts frame after the Victorian artist G.F. Watts is one of the best designs to come from the 19th Century revival frames. It's balanced with just enough ornament and decoration which make it a suitable frame for portraits and many other subjects. Many of the 19th C revival frames were over ornamented and badly proportioned, and to be honest quite ugly compared to the earlier styles they were based on. The Watts frame is based on Italian cassetta frames, during the late 19th C it was a very popular style and continues to be so now.
This frame of mine is missing some of the finer details of the classic Watts frame, such as a bead and reel pattern at the base of the outer ornament (nearest the flat), also the oak veneer flat is mitred at the corners whereas classic examples are butt joint, the main leaf pattern and outer pattern are slightly different, and finally the inner husk ornament simply runs all the way round, instead of radiating out from four centre points. None the less, it is a nice antique frame in excellent original condition.
G.F. Watts had a number of frame patterns on this basic cassetta profile, with various decoration on the flat panel.Watts Gallery has recently reopened after a full refurbishment, it is in Surrey and has an extensive website:
http://www.wattsgallery.org.uk/
