Arnold Wiggins & Sons Ltd

Arnold Wiggins & Sons are picture framers dealing in antique frames, with a shop in St James’s, London and a workshop that employs the traditional skills of carvers and gilders to make reproduction frames and restore carved and gilded furniture.

The Wiggins family were craftsmen-dealers who since the early years of the 20th century collected a stock of antique frames. They established a workshop specialising in the adaption and reproduction of antique frames, and supplied frames to the Royal Household, to the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery, and private collectors worldwide.

The Wiggins picture frame archive provides an historical perspective that is particularly valuable for those wishing to frame an antique painting in an appropriate way.

Examples of Arnold Wiggins & Sons’ stock of antique frames might included gilded examples of 17th-century French or 16th-century Italian frames, as well as a good selection of fine 19th-century frames, each carefully and subtly gilded to reflect their period.

Michael Gregory trained as a carver and gilder working alongside Jim Wiggins and he maintains the tradition, advising museums, private collectors and dealers on the framing of paintings.

Since 1955 the business has the distinction of holding a royal warrant from Her Majesty the Queen, as picture frame makers and suppliers to the Royal Collection.