FRAME OF THE MONTH

Black Glass

Black Glass, known as “Verre Eglomise” in French, is named after Jean-Baptist Glomy, an 18th Century frame maker to Louis XVI, who used the technique extensively to decorate mirrors, etc. for Marie-Antoinette.

Eglomise glass is: gold leaf; silver leaf; paint, on their own or in combination, applied to the back side of a sheet of glass. At its simplest, a single or double line of gold leaf is laid on the glass, and is then protected by several layers of black paint. This technique is still employed today for traditional prints. At its most intricate, complicated and elaborate designs can be achieved.