Shadowbox Frame With Two Glass Keys


Our shop manager, Dana, looked for a way to create a shadowbox to encompass these two, decorative, glass keys and really make them look important. Not only that, but she wanted the frame being used to reflect or mirror some attributes of the glass keys being framed. She found just the thing in the Fotiou 5544RD frame moulding. Fotiou is imported from Italy and all their designs are gorgeous. This glossy red lacquered moulding is called, by Fotiou, "Ornate Million Dollar Red Lacquer" and it sure looks the part. The perfect match for the red key, it is 1 3/4" wide and deep enough to handle a shadowbox made from Crescent 7158 Storm Gray Suede mat board. They also make this frame in a gloss black, White, Silver, Gun Metal and Gold lacquers, but the red was a lot more fun and inviting.

In general, we try to select frames that echo something in the composition being framed (a color, shape or texture). That way, it looks like it belongs with the framed item, no matter where it hangs, no matter what the color of the wall.This, we believe, is the best design strategy for the long term.


The glazing for this frame is a piece of Optium Museum Acrylic, which is light, strong and nearly invisible. The two glass keys were sewn down to keep them from moving around and without having to use any adhesives that would damage the keys or make it hard to remove them in the future, if necessary.


Framing designed by Dana L. Fisher, MCPF
Design executed by Grace Kerpan
Photos by Brian D. Flax, CPF
Images shown courtesy of our client MK.