Nothing enhances the appeal of a beautiful painting like the perfect frame. Indeed, framing is an art form in its own right, and The Gilded Edge is the first book to offer a comprehensive visual survey of the beautiful antique frames made in America over the last two centuries. Comprising diverse essays by art world luminaries, museum curators, private collectors, and independent scholars, this richly illustrated volume covers topics ranging from frame history and fabrication to the art of perfectly matching frame to artwork. Unlike most art books that depict paintings without their frames, The Gilded Edge presents a plethora of photographs that showcase frames in relation to the paintings they border--and as works of art themselves. An accessible reference for collectors and admirers alike, this is an invaluable guide to the art of making beautiful things even more so.