How can I tell a crystoleum from an earlier print?

Crystoleoms belong to the Victorian era and involve multiple layered paper pressings tinted by hand. Earlier Georgian examples rely on mezzotints applied straight to single glass sheets. Examining the back of the frame helps reveal the construction layers and paper backing typical of nineteenth-century production methods.

Where should I hang these pictures?

These works require shaded interior walls away from direct sunlight. Ultraviolet rays fade the applied pigments and oil paints over time. Stable indoor humidity prevents the wooden frames from warping and protects the fragile bond between the glass and the paint.

Are these pictures fragile?

The glass panels are inherently brittle and demand careful handling during relocation. The paint layer sits exposed on the rear, making it vulnerable to flaking if knocked. Professional framing with secure backing boards provides the necessary structural support to keep the glass stable over the decades.

Home > Reverse Glass Pictures > Page 3

Antique Reverse Glass Pictures

41 items · page 3 of 3

← Page 3 of 3 →

These antique reverse glass pictures apply pigment, print and oil directly to the back of glass panels, creating polished portraits and scenes that survive from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.