What is a chrystoleum?

A chrystoleum is a tinted photograph or print mounted to the inside of curved glass and hand-coloured with oils. The paper backing was rubbed away until only the thin image remained on the glass. This painstaking Victorian process gave flat portraits a remarkably lifelike, three-dimensional depth that standard framed prints lacked.

Are reverse glass prints old?

Many reverse glass prints date from the Georgian and Victorian eras, produced extensively throughout the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. They served as popular wall decorations depicting royalty and religious scenes. Examining the backing boards, old fixings, and the chemical composition of the glass helps confirm the period of manufacture.

Why use convex glass on frames?

Convex glass was blown or slumped into a dome shape to create physical space between the glass and the delicate paper print beneath. This prevented the print from sticking to the glass over time. It also introduced charming optical distortions and reflections that caught the light in period interiors.

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Gold Framed Glass Print

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A gold framed glass print brings together historic imagery and shimmering metallic borders, offering a brilliant decorative focal point for any interior wall.