This is a "lithophane" plug-in night light, featuring a thin translucent porcelain panel, made using a lost art from the 1800's. When lit from behind, the light shining through the different thicknesses of the engraved porcelain causes a highly detailed image to appear in front, almost magically. As you see, the illuminated image is so detailed, that it has a totally photographic quality to it! In addition, the relief of the carving gives the image a 3 dimensional quality when seen in person. To make them, we start by carving the image in a translucent wax, with the wax lit from behind. We then take a plaster mold of this engraving, and we then cast a fine porcelain clay into this mold. We then kiln fire the porcelain to 2300 degrees F. to achieve it's translucency and durability. Lithophanes were invented in France in 1827, and were popular throughout Europe till the early 1900's. They mysteriously faded from popularity with the advent of electricity, and became a lost art, until I re-discovered the secrets of this art. We first started making them 32 years ago by reproducing the antique ones. We eventually learned how to engrave our own originals, and this has been our specialty ever since. Our lithophanes truly make for a beautiful and practical piece of art that you will use daily for year after year!
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Lithophanes are the gift that keeps on giving!
I love all of Porcelain Gardens litho-hand work, but I am particularly fond of the safari animals and of the Fairy Moon ones. The look exquisite as a nightlight and the Fairies are stunning as a luminaire box lamp. I wish you would bring back the framed litho-hand box, I like the modern look much better than the victorian frame. I would also love to see the safari animals as a luminaire box lamp.
