Du Côté du Parc
The Antiques of the Future

The Antiques of the future formats

Our products are

the antiques of the future !

We offer functional fine art glass painting decor items such as Wall mirrors, Bath sets, Tea boxes, Tissue boxes, Silverware chests, Waste bins, Serving trays and many more ! Our many efforts to ensure a top quality and originality convert these decoration artefacts in the Antiques of the Future  See them here

Each of them is different : the one that you will receive includes the hand print of every single person that collaborated on its making.

Reverse painting on glass

Assyrian & Phoenician civilisations show many examples of reverse painting on glass. However, the technique reached its maturity in Venice during the second half of the sixteenth century. Venitian started to use a higher end glass quality. The Byzantine glassblowers introduced several significant improvements to the traditional process. Since then, Venice has been a major production center of this complicated art. This is to say it became really popular from the end of the sixteenth century.

Religious art first then decorative artefacts

At first, Reliquaries and portable altars were made of small panels of glass with designs formed by engraved gilding. Cennino Cennini describes this genuine method in details. After that, used throughout Europe since the 15th century, it appears in paintings, furniture, drinking glasses and similar vessels and jewelry. For example, it is also often seen in the form of decorative panels of mirrors, clock faces. In more recent history,  window signs and advertising mirrors uses this technique. Shop now

Golden age of the reverse painting on glass

To sum up, troughout the 19th century the reverse painting on glass was widely popular as folk art in Austria, Bavaria, Moravia, Bohemia and Slovakia. Unfortunately, during the inter-war period (1914–1945) this traditional “naive” technique fell nearly to a complete oblivion. Consequently, its methods of paint composition and structural layout had to be re-invented by combining acrylic and oil paints. 

Craftsmanship improvements

For instance, a new method of reverse painting emerged using polymer glazing methods. It permitted the artworks to be painted direct to an acrylic UV coating on the glass. The unique under glass effect retains a curious depth. Even though the layered painting on the glass was bonded to a final linen support. Finally, a stretcher bar mounted after being is carefully removed from the original ‘glass easel’. See detailed making process

The Antiques of the Future
Painting the antiques of the future

During 20th century, in France, it was mainly used to decorate shops with wood or coal heating system. The glass is easy to clean and decoration is safe. It was used to cover walls and ceilings. Still in Paris you can see many examples. 

This is to say that the reverse painting on glass technique was quite popular in across Europe (in Italy, France & Germany then extending to Central & Eastern Europe). It reached as far as the coasts of Senegal. The Spanish brought it to South America.

Hand painting the antiques of the future

 

The hand painting is performed on the back of a piece of glass. Once finished, the flip side shows the final look. Compared to a normal painting, the work is done backwards. What is usually done first on the canvas is done last on the glass. A meticulous order is set for the numerous coats of paint. If a detail is forgotten, it cannot be added afterwards. For every single correction, the latest layers is removed first. That’s how we make heirloom quality products.

100% in-house development and making

In other words: Express your needs and we make it real, for example Placemats, Bathroom accessory, Square serving trays, Jewelry boxes, Sweets/Chocolate chests, Rectangular serving trays, Pencil boxes, Towel dispensers, Set of coasters, Living room sets, and Leather topped end tables. Go to Taylor Made page

100% in-house development and making

Verre églomisé

Verre églomisé is from the French term meaning glass gilded. The glass is gilded with gold or metal leaf on its backside. 

Initially, this technique was a relatively simple one of applying decorative designs in a combination of plain colour and gilding, usually to glass picture frames. However, over time it is used to describe nearly any process involving back-painted and gilded glass.

During the gilding process, the silver, gold or other metal leaf is fixed using a gelatin adhesive which, after steaming, results in a mirror-like, reflective finish. Various techniques are used to apply the design, often by reverse painting prior to gilding. Or engraving the design into the gilded layer or even into the glass.

Above all, reverse painting on glass can combine with gilding. The technique dates back to the pre-Roman eras. But its name is derived from 18th century French decorator and art-dealer Jean-Baptise Glomy (1711-1786). He is responsible for its re-popularization. However, one of the key historical periods for this art was in Italy during the 13th to 16th century.

glass gilding the antiques of the future

Art and Craftsmanship

Where can you have some verre églomisé and reverse painting on glass in the XXIst century ?

The Antiques of the Future

Today, production of reverse painting on glass is very time-consuming, costly and in most cases commercially impractical. As a result only a few remaining artists sell their work as one of kind or unique piece.

Visit an art gallery. You will be amazed at the masterpieces’ prices. Is it any better than the craftsmanship that we produce in our workshop? Honestly, no! But, it’s “art”.

In order to pursue this tradition, we moved to South America. Still many craftsmen use this technique brought by the Spanish. Labour cost is compatible with a 100% handmade production. This is the only alternative to produce and market decorative glass for interior decor: The Antiques of the Future.

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HQ Address:

Du Côté du Parc
8 rue Censier 75005 Paris - France

Phone number

+33 (0)7 67 20 80 90

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+33 (0)7 67 20 80 90

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info@ducoteduparc.com

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