Late 19th Century Indigo Blue Spheres in Eglomisé Glass, France, 1930s, Set of 4

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Elegant and original set of four indigo-colored, églomised glass spheres, late 19th century, France. They include a metal hanging bracket. … Read more Elegant and original set of four indigo-colored, églomised glass spheres, late 19th century, France. They include a metal hanging bracket. Eglomising is a French term referring to a glass decoration technique in which a painted, drawn, or glittered image is applied to the underside of the glass and surrounded by a metallic foil, usually gold or silver. It is then protected with another layer of glass or varnish. In this case, a striking mirror effect is created in indigo, a deep and intense color that lies between blue and violet on the visible spectrum. Historically, it was obtained from plants such as Indigofera tinctoria and has been valued since antiquity for its durability and richness, even being called the "king of dyes." It is a dark, cool tone with magenta undertones.

The églomised glass technique was already in use in Alexandria in the 3rd century BC, as well as during the Roman era. The name of this technique derives from the 18th-century French decorator and art dealer Jean-Baptiste Glomy, who was responsible for its revival.

During the Neoclassical period, it was common to create eglomized glass plaques on wood to decorate furniture, and in Italy, between the 13th and 16th centuries, a large number of reliquaries and portable altars were ornamented in this way. Over time, the term has come to describe almost any process involving back-painted and gilded glass. It has appeared in paintings, furniture, vases, clock faces, containers, and even jewelry. More recently, the technique was explored by the Blue Rider group of artists in the 1920s. In fact, artists such as Kandinsky, Marc, Klee, and Gabriele Münter produced paintings on glass.

Material: Eglomized glass
Period: Late 19th century
Country of origin: France
Good condition considering its age and use
Dimensions:
Large: 16 cm diameter
Small: 10 cm diameter See less