Verre Eglomise is a decorative art form in which a design or image is applied to the back of a piece of glass, and then viewed from the front through the glass. The name comes from the French term “Verre à églomiser”, which means “glass to gild.”

A growing number of people like to use Verre Eglomise in their homes, and it has become increasingly popular for kitchen splashbacks. If this is something you would like to commission, please get in touch.

History of Verre Eglomise

The history of Verre Eglomise can be traced back to ancient Egypt, where glass was often gilded with gold leaf to create decorative objects. The technique was also used by the Romans and the Byzantine Empire. During the Middle Ages, Verre Eglomise was used to create religious art, such as church windows and altarpieces.

During the 18th century, the art form experienced a resurgence in popularity in France, where it was used to create ornate mirror frames and other decorative objects. The French artist Jean-Baptiste Glomy is credited with popularizing the technique and giving it the name “Verre Eglomise.”

The process of creating Verre Eglomise involves applying a design or image to the back of a piece of glass, typically using a method such as reverse painting or stenciling. The glass is then gilded with gold leaf or a metallic paint, and the design is viewed through the front of the glass.

In the 19th century, the technique spread to other parts of Europe and the United States, where it was used to create decorative objects such as picture frames, mirrors, and lampshades. The Art Nouveau movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries also incorporated Verre Eglomise into its designs.

Today, Verre Eglomise is still used to create decorative objects and artwork, but it is considered a niche art form. It requires a high level of skill and expertise, and the materials and techniques used are often expensive.

In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in Verre Eglomise, with contemporary artists and artisans incorporating the technique into their work and keeping the tradition alive.

In short, Verre Eglomise is a decorative art form that consists of applying a design or image to the back of a piece of glass, and then viewing it through the front. It has a history that can be traced back to ancient Egypt, and it was further developed by French and other European artisans in 18th and 19th century. Nowadays, it’s considered a niche art form that requires a high level of skill, expertise and materials.