Customer Reviews

Reed & Barton Classic Channel 5-by-7-Inch Silver-plated Picture Frame

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The design of this frame is beautiful. Simple, classic and elegant. Unfortunately the two I ordered were not in pristine condition. The glass contained slight imperfections that were impossible to remove. The frames bore smudges and small scratches. Lastly the inside of the frame is larger than 5 x 7 and lacks any kind of inner guides for placing the photo, so you just have to eyeball it and hope it doesn't shift while you slide all the pieces and backing into place. I was wearing cotton gloves to protect the very expensive photo prints that I was putting into these frames, so I'm confident that the frames shipped with all those scratches and smudges. I really expected a much nicer finished product from Reed & Barton. And since when is Reed & Barton made in China?

This is about what people expect when they hear the phrase "silver-plated picture frame." This Reed & Barton Classic Channel in the 5 x 7 size has, to my way of thinking, just enough silver -- not too narrow a margin and not too wide. It makes a statement but doesn't overwhelm the picture (we use ours for a family photo atop a medium-height bookcase).

The "channel" aspect of this Classic Channel picture frame probably lies in the fact that there is a slight inset or "channel" between the outer frame and the picture itself (it is not a groove or a trough -- just an inset). This item probably wouldn't look so classic without the channeling. Other than that I must stress there is no ornamentation: no engraving or scrollwork, mixed metals or colors.

Modern silver-plated objects like this one tend to resist tarnish but if ours should develop some (and in Chicago's frequently smoggy atmosphere, it's not out of the question) a simple tarnish cloth should do. The frame appears to be well-made and durable, and comes in a Reed & Barton box well-lined with tissue paper. This vendor's price is better than most. Apparently, and sadly, production of this item shifted from the USA to China several years ago.

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The frame is well built, I have come to trust this brand. It is nothing fancy though. It is a basic silver plated frame. The metal is not heavy, it has a rather standard thin frame. It isn't flimsy though.

Reed and Barton is a long established silver house in the US. This product is a good example of their quality even though it was imported from outside the country.