Eli Wilner, founder and CEO of Eli Wilner & Company, is the foremost American authority on period framing. His New York City gallery, with a staff of 30 skilled artisans including 15 frame conservators, specializes in antique and handcrafted re-creations of American and European frames from the 17th- through the mid-20th centuries.
Wilner has sold over 10,000 frames, working on projects for a multitude of clients, including the White House, the Smithsonian and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Most recently, Wilner finished his “dream” job: the recreation of the original frame for the Met’s iconic Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emanuel Leutze—a frame that, with crest, measures 18 feet high by 24 feet wide and weighs 1,400 pounds.
When crafting a new frame, Wilner refers to his collection of 3,600 frames and 10,000 photographs to ensure authenticity and integrity. In addition to adorning works of art (Wilner regularly lends his frames to Christie’s, Sotheby’s and other auction houses), the frames are put to new uses, such as framing a door or a flat-screen TV—one, a copy of a Sanford White frame, sold for $22,000.
The author of two books on antique American frames, Wilner says that his aim is to make “exquisite copies”: “I am the ultimate referee. To pass my eye, the staff puts the antique next to the copy. If I can’t tell which is which, it is a go!”
Now Wilner is offering smaller frames that can be displayed on a desk or tabletop. Each reproduction is unique—typically a dozen experts work a total of 100 hours on each frame, carving, applying layers of compo and gesso, gilding and burnishing.
A frame sets the stage for a great painting—and enhances its value. Auction houses frequently ask Wilner to recreate frames for paintings. One, Picasso’s Nude, Green Leaves and Bust, sold at Christies for $106 million, while his Dora Marr au Chat sold at Sotheby’s for $96 million.
9 3/4 X 7 3/4 inches | $7,500
16 1/8 X 19 1/8 inches | $14,000
9 3/4 X 7 3/4 inches | $7,500
25 3/4 X 17 5/8 inches | $12,000
29 3/8 X 21 3/8 inches | $20,000
Welcome to VandM’s Design Atelier Sale – Eli Wilner running from Jan 13 – Feb 13, 2012. Design Atelier merchandise is exclusive to VandM or of limited access and is all one-of-a-kind, so please note that, while we endeavor to ensure product availability, we cannot guarantee that all item(s) will be in stock. Design Atelier is a set of unique and rare merchandise reflecting attractive values available to our customers and often negotiated pricing (no trade discounts are available on Design Atelier Sales). Design Atelier orders are secured through credit card, PayPal, or by contacting VandM directly. Shipping options will be provided to you by VandM and the seller for your approval at the time of purchase (shipping is included in the final sale price to the continental USA). Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery unless otherwise noted. All sales are final. If you need us to prepare a shipping estimate please call our offices at 1-800-618-2960.
