Right now, in our eBay store, http://stores.ebay.com/Studio-Antiques, you will find quite a few examples of a fairly difficult item to find, lithophanes. When I speak with customers in the shop, most have never heard of the term lithophane, so I thought it would be a great thing to reveal today.
The photographs above show just how beautiful a lithophane can be. The top two are actual lithophanes we have for sale. The bottom two show a lithophane unilluminated and another, illuminated, in a iron stand made for viewing them.
So what the heck are these things? Well, the term lithophane derives from the Greek language and meaning “to appear suddenly in stone” as a three dimensional image appears suddenly when backlit.
Lithophanes were first produced in European countries including England, Germany, France and Prussia, in the later 1820’s. However, perhaps more than a thousand years earlier in China, paper thin procelain was produced with hidden decorations in them. It is believed that these pieces provided the inspiration to the Europeans to produce lithophanes. In fact, much of the Japanese porcelain known as Dragonware contain lithophanes, mostly of Geishas, in the bottom of cups, saucers or bowls.
They are really amazing and have so much detail. How are they made? The process reminds me of the jewelry making technique called lost wax. Soft wax would have been carved to create the image. The thinner the wax the more light that could shine through. And conversely, the thicker the wax, the less light would shine through. This must have taken an immense amount of time to create.
From the wax image, a plaster mold was made. From the mold, a porcelian mixture was placed and fired to about 2300 degrees Farenheit. The finished molds were only from 1/8″ to 1/4″ thick, and only 60% of those made survived the firing process.
By the mid 1800’s lithophanes were being produced in most European countries and by companies like Meissen, Belleek and Wedgwood. Lithophanes were made in various formats such as fireplace screens, light shields, lanterns and nightlights (think candle or fire light behind them). They were also found in such places as the bottom of beer steins, to teacups and mugs as ambient light is enough to bring the lithophaned images to life.
Although most lithophanes are 19th century or earlier, contemporary lithophanes are being made from photographs on 3-D printers and other equipment. http://www.carvewright.com/assets/tips/CarveWrightTips_and_Tricks_Jan09.pdf
Check out the lithophanes STUDIO ANTIQUES has available right now.
The lighthouse above is http://www.ebay.com/itm/LITHOPHANE-SEASCAPE-Antique-19th-c-Porcelain-LIGHTHOUSE-ROCKY-CLIFFS-Moon-/361178995471?pt=Antiques_Decorative_Arts&hash=item5417f21b0f
The castle in the woods http://www.ebay.com/itm/LITHOPHANE-CASTLE-THROUGH-FOREST-CANOPY-SCENE-Antique-19th-c-Porcelain-TREES-/361178995407?pt=Antiques_Decorative_Arts&hash=item5417f21acf
Angry seas and full moon http://www.ebay.com/itm/LITHOPHANE-ANGRY-SEAS-CLIFFS-SEASCAPE-Antique-19th-c-Porcelain-MOONLIGHT-/361178995357?pt=Antiques_Decorative_Arts&hash=item5417f21a9d
They are somewhat affordable and would make a wonderful item to collect! Thanks for stopping by! We will see what excitement we have this coming week. Hope yours is great! Laurence & Sally
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Tags: dragonware, lithopane, lithophane, lost wax