Product Images
The History of Lithophanes
History
A lithophane is a thin, translucent plaque, usually made of porcelain, that is molded to varying thicknesses. When lit from behind, the different thicknesses create an image due to the varying shades. They were invented in France in the 1820s by Baron Paul de Bourguignon and became popular for lampshades, nightlights, and decorative plaques. The technique was later adopted and produced mainly in Germany, with the Prussian Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur (KPM) in Berlin being a significant producer. Lithophanes fell out of fashion by the end of the 19th century but have seen a revival in recent decades,
with modern materials like glass and plastic being used.
For more detailed information, you can visit the Wikipedia page directly: Lithophane - Wikipedia
Lithophane of Frederick the Great, lit from front. After a well-known painting by Julius Schrader (1849).[1]
By Elke Wetzig (Elya) - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3280936