Details
The Empress began with a Persian miniature I studied for weeks at the Smithsonian — a winged queen surrounded by a garden that seemed to bloom from her shoulders. I wanted to translate that weightless devotion into reverse glass, where the roses could glow instead of sit flat. Every feather of her wing was painted before her profile existed. The gold filigree went down last, like a halo pressed into the back of the world.
Painted on 4mm optically clear float glass using Reusche reverse-painting enamels and genuine 22k gold leaf. Built in nine layers — highlight pigments first, then shadow modelling, then broad background washes, and finally an ebonized protective backing. Housed in a hand-finished walnut shadow-box frame with a linen dust seal.
Afternoon light raking across the surface at 30° brings the gold filigree alive. For evening viewing, a warm-white 2700K LED strip along the top inner edge of the frame creates an even halo. Avoid direct overhead spotlights — they flatten the translucency.
Dust the front of the glass only, using a dry microfiber cloth. Never apply cleaners to the reverse surface. Keep out of direct, sustained sunlight to preserve the depth of the enamels.
Ships within 7 business days in a custom foam-lined wooden crate, fully insured door-to-door. Complimentary shipping within the continental US; international rates quoted individually.
Every piece ships with a signed Certificate of Authenticity, a numbered holographic seal fixed to the frame, and a digital provenance record that includes a paint-layer micrograph serving as a unique fingerprint.
