Antique Lithophanes
for Sale
Click on Thumbnails for bigger pictures then click the pictures again.
   

A remarkable collection of Genuine 19th Century ceramic porcelain Lithophanes.



One of the difficulties has been how to display these fragile works of art; but we have discovered a simple way. We have produced acrylic frames, a bit like a menu holder, but with a thicker gap. The lithophane is professionally mounted inside several thick layers of card and placed inside it. The result is that the lithophane can be stood on in front of a lamp or candle, placed on a shelf or on a window-sill. It can be picked up, examined and handled with the minimum of risk. We have framed many below in this way.

History: They were mostly made from around 1820 onwards. The masters were usually carved in wax which was then used to make a plaster of paris mould. Very fine sloppy porcelain, known as slip, was poured into the mould. When dry it was removed and one had this amazing thin translucent plain white panel which when backlit reveals a picture with an incredible amount of detail.

Three triangular panels mounted in a frame with glass front & back.

Frame measures 390 x 280mm.

LITH-001 £60

Putti

Beautiful round lithophane. Is image a detail from Sistine Madonna

14 cm diameter framed with glass front & back 26 x 26 cm.

LITH-002 £200

 

Church interior.

Heavily embossed example. Note the amazing shadows.

Lithophane 15 x 10.5 cm.
Acrylic standing frame 21 x 14.5cm

LITH-005 £150

 

Horseback in the Snow

Lithophane 15 x 10.5 cm.
Acrylic standing frame 21 x 14.5cm

 LITH-007 £215

 

Couple in Gothic Ruin

Lithophane 15 x 10.5 cm.
Acrylic standing frame 21 x 14.5cm

 LITH-008 £150
       
vv

 

Reading by firelight

Lithophane 15 x 10.5 cm.
Acrylic standing frame 21 x 14.5cm

 LITH-011 £150


"Thousand Isles" and "Wiesbaden"

framed together. Lithophanes 6 x 7.5 cm.
Acrylic standing frame 21 x 14.5cm

 LITH-012 £150

Image based on "The Madonna della seggiola" by Rafael (Madonna with Christ and John the Baptist). the original is housed in the Palazzo Pitti collection in Florence.

Very large & beautiful lithophane. Nuber 53 inscribed on the back, otherwise no legible markings.
24.7 cm.(over 9.5 inches) diameter. Unframed

Read about a related and framed example

LITH-014 reserved

A wonderful piece of porcelain: -


The figure of Night by Danish artist Bertel Thorvaldsen (1770–1844).
To quote the museum:-
Night personified floats passively over the sky. Her eyes are closed as are the eyes of the children in her embrace. Her hair is braided with poppies, with their sleep-inducing capacities, known since Antiquity. The animal of the night – an owl – flies directly and as if urging out towards us. Be quiet!

Very large & beautiful lithophane. 18 inscribed with small 48 underneath on the reverse, otherwise no legible markings. 23.6 cm. (9.25 inches) diameter. Unframed

LITH-015 reserved

 

Well or Shrine under Tree

Lithophane 15 x 10.5 cm.
Acrylic standing frame 21 x 14.5cm

 LITH-016 £180

Four curved lithophanes, probably form a lamp.

Each measures about 5.8 x 7.2 cm. with 1.2 cm. curvature

LITH-017 £30

Three Apes shaving a Cat!

A really great subject but sadly this one has been broken and repaired. Mounted like stained glass in lead with glass behind and a wire to hang it. 16x11 cm.

LITH-018 £50


landscape in the snow.


Sadly cracked then professionally repaired. Mounted like stained glass in lead with glass behind and a wire to hang it. 16 x 11cm.

LITH-019 £50

A mystery location.

Mounted in blue card but unframed, Lithophane measures 12.5 x 13.5 cm.

LITH-020 £100
       
       

A small coffee-pot on a warming base which has lithophanes in all 4 sides. 21 cm. high. Originally it must have had some sort of oblong dish as a base, probably holding a candle - This is missing and is now replaced by a brazilian mahogany base prepared for electric wiring.

 LITH-004

sold