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Georg Wilhelm Smolka

Georg Wilhelm Smolka Frame maker
Contact
German, English
Hours:
Monday to Friday 09:00 - 18:00
Phone:
+43 15120283
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Always in the background

  • • Georg handcrafts frames of all styles
  • • He learned his craft skills from his father
  • • He owns a collection of more than 2,500 historic frames

The workshop of Wilhelm Smolka was established in Vienna over 100 years ago. Since then, “Smolka” has become a well-known name in the world of fine art. Georg Wilhelm Smolka, the current owner and master artisan, learned his craft from his father Wilhelm and took over the company after obtaining his master’s certificate in 1986. He now trains young people as apprentices, providing them with pratical experience ahead of their master’s examinations. Georg’s father had the honour to contribute to the restoration projects of the most famous public historic buildings in Vienna after World War II: the Vienna State Opera, the Winter Palace of Prince Eugene of Savoy, the Vienna Imperial Palace, Schönbrunn Castle and many more. Georg’s most significant and memorable commisiion was creating a new frame for Albrecht Dürer’s world famous drawing “A Young Hare”.

Read the full interview

Works

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Bologneser Blattrahmen (Bolognese style leaf frame)

This gilt frame, inspired by the 17th-century Bolognese style frame design, has been carefully handcarved from poplar wood with leaf motifs. A strip has been left apparent on the interior opening of the frame while richly carved leaves and floral patterns are shaped sloping outwards in a symmetrical arrangement. Intertwined foliage accentuates corners and the centrepiece.

Height 38 cm
Width 32 cm

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Bologneser Blattrahmen (Bolognese style leaf frame)

Inspired by the 17th-century Bolognese style frame design, this gilt frame has been intricately hand carved from poplar wood with leaf motifs. A strip has been left apparent on the interior opening of the frame as well as exterior. The interior was carefully carved with leaf and floral patterns in a symmetrical arrangement.

Height 82 cm
Width 62 cm

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Louis XIV - frame

This gilt frame, based on those of the late 17th-century French Louis XIV style, was handcarved from poplar and finished with gold leaf. Flat strips have been left apparent on its interior as well as exterior opening and the surface carved with hollow grooves, rising carnations with corner and middle cartouches in leaves, flowers and tendrils.

Height 166 cm
Width 152 cm

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Piemonteser Rahmen (Piedmontese style frame)

This ornate gilt poplar wood frame was based on the style of frames creates in the 17th century in the Piedmont region, italy. The poplar frame was handcarved and finished with gold leaf. The frame was decorated with intricately carved tendrils and masks in the corners. The strip on the interior of the frame has been carved with carnation-shaped foliage.

Height 124 cm
Width 118 cm

Find Georg Wilhelm Smolka in the itinerary

Vienna: the remnants of the Empire
11 locations
From the Vienna State Opera to Schönbrunn Palace, the Austrian capital boasts many impressive imperial sites. Follow our itinerary to see Vienna’s history come to life through ateliers, workshops and manufacturers that date back to the 18th and 19th centuries.
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