NEW YORK, NY.- Eli Wilner & Company announced their acquisition of a highly important California Gold Rush-era Jones & Wooll picture frame, circa 1850, gilded with applied ornament.

The 1850s was an era of exploration and adventure when Americans fully recognized the diversity of the country’s landscape. The California Gold Rush was at its peak and the city of San Francisco enjoyed rapid growth as fortunes were being made. At this time David Jones and John Wooll owned a store located on Market Street where they sold picture frames and mirrors.

Decorated with floral sprays and foliage, this exquisite frame features finely detailed molded ornament in the cove and elaborate projecting corners. The frame features a stamped label on the verso "Jones & Wooll's Mirror and Picture Store 643 Market Street," and retains its original finish in near perfect condition. In terms of 1850s frames this is a wonderful example of the use of natural elements with an exuberant design. At the time, this frame would have complemented a spacious American landscape painting, a popular subject during this period. The frame has a sight size of 29 3/8 X 47 ½ inches with a width of 6 inches. It has an outside measurement of 41 3/8 X 59 ½ inches. This frame is being offered by Eli Wilner & Company for $250,000.

The stenciled name and address on the verso of the frame helped in determining its San Francisco origins. Jones & Wooll were active during the 1850s and 60s and were widely recognized for the quality of their work. Given the city’s subsequent history of fires and earthquakes, the fact that this frame has survived in near perfect condition makes it a rare find.

Eli Wilner & Company is the world's finest resource for antique American and European frames. As a specialist in period framing for nearly 40 years, Eli Wilner has completed 28 projects for the White House and over 15,000 framing projects for collectors and museums. For more information contact Eli Wilner & Company or visit their website at www.EliWilner.com.