Shining Stone

Lithophanes reveal their enchanting beauty when backlit by a flickering flame. These relief images in translucent porcelain enjoyed great popularity in the mid-19th century, when they were hung in windows as decorations or incorporated into light screens, lamp­shades, and tea warmers. Their motifs, which include genre scenes, idyllic land­scapes, tranquil urban scenes, and copies of paintings, offer fascinating insights into the daily life of the emerging bourgeoisie.
KH. W. Steckelings takes us on a far-reaching journey through the world of litho­phanes. His investigations cover not only porcelain objects, but also special materials and techniques. As a valuable reference work for collectors and enthusiasts, Shining Stone explores the history of litho­phanes in the context of the development of porcelain manu­factories from the 18th to the 20th century, focusing on France and Germany, where the majority of litho­phanes were produced. The descriptions of individual objects also include useful information on sources and markings. Incorporating a wealth of photo­graphs and documentation, the author debunks long-held misconceptions, draws important comparisons, and provides new insights into developmental steps and inter­connections.