Reverse Glass Painting (Verre Églomisé) - Italian Lake Scene with Sailboat and Castle
Dear Appraiser, I am seeking an appraisal for a reverse glass painting (verre églomisé) that has been in my family for multiple decades. I have limited information about its origins and I hope to learn more about its potential value. Key Features: 1. The painting technique is a reverse on glass, which is often referred to as 'verre églomisé.' 2. There appears to be the inclusion of abalone or other types of shell, used to create a reflective, iridescent effect. 3. The artist and precise age of the painting are unknown to me. Additional Details: 1. Dimensions: The painting measures approximately 47 inches wide by 25.75 inches tall. The layout of the painting is landscape. 2. Subject Matter: The painting depicts what appears to be an Italian lake scene with a sailboat on the water. On the right side of the painting, there is a piece of land featuring a castle-like home with abalone or other types of shell incorporated into the artwork. The painting showcases blue skies, puffy clouds, and lush greenery. 3. Framing: The artwork is framed with a golden wood frame adorned with intricate designs. Historical Information: My grandmother, Teresa Zenone, gifted the painting to my family in the summer of 1984. At that time, she had owned the painting for 44 years. As of today, June 15, 2023, the painting has been in my family's possession for nearly 40 years. According to a note written on the brown kraft paper attached to the back of the painting, my grandmother had purchased it from a 92-year-old neighbor. This neighbor's mother had acquired it from someone else around the time of the neighbor's older brother's birth. I look forward to any insights you can provide about this artwork's history and value. Thank you, Steve
47 inches wide by 25.75 inches tall
Inherited
Yes
Hi Steve,
Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.
There was a great tradition of these being painted in the mid 19th Century (1850s give or take a decade or so) and - if they did not depict a specific place - occasionally depicted scenes from literature. "Painting on glass" was occasionally taught to women in schools; this may be signed on the inside of the frame but you risk damaging it if you take it out of the frame for examination. Regrettably, the current market for this kind of thing is quite soft at the moment and while there are comparatively few that survive in this large size, they are also quite heavy and people do not want to use them in their houses for decoration.
Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:
Victorian School, mid 19th Century
Probably Continental / European
"Verre eglomise" Continental landscape with a castle, river, boats and trees
reverse painted with mother-of-pearl embellishments
25 3/4 inches tall by 47 inches wide
CONDITION: appears to be in good condition. Backing paper appears to be old and original to the frame.
PROVENANCE: inherited, descended in the client's family from the descendant of the original owner
$250-350*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.
Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, and thank you again for using Mearto.
