Verre Eglomise is a artistic style of mirror, popular in the 18th century

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verre églomisé use in cabinet door fronts

verre églomisé is a traditional technique for adding metal leaf to glass. Before techniques were developed to silver glass and make “mirror” (as we now know it) verre églomisé was used to give glass surfaces the same depth and reflective quality.

In fact, the history of verre églomisé dates back to the early 1700s when it was most often used to decorate glassware or windows.

Today, verre églomisé is used as a decorative touch in high-end interiors projects and restoration projects.

The Shortlist...

What Is Verre Eglomise?

Verre Eglomise Wall Mirror

Verre Eglomise is a traditional technique for creating handcrafted mirrors. When employing this method, craftspeople would apply gold leaf to the rear side of a piece of glass in order to create a mirrored panel. Oftentimes, the artisan would render an ornate design or even a silhouette portrait within the gold leaf.

(Verre eglomise was the precursor to the antiqued mirror you see today. )

These mirrors were in fashion during the 1700s and 1800s as well as the early 1900s.

Unfortunately, we don’t see as many Verre Eglomise mirrors today. This is likely due to the fact that the mirrored panels aren’t as reflective as the mirrors we have today. They’re far more decorative than they are functional.

While these mirrors fell out of fashion during the last century, we’ve seen a recent resurgence among antique collectors and vintage furniture connoisseurs. Even some artisans have taken up the technique, creating Verre Eglomise mirrors with a modern twist.

How Verre Eglomise Is Made

The process of making verre eglomise requires skill and some specialized tools.

That said, it is something most DIYers can at least attempt. Below are a few youtube tutorials that I thought were very good at showing the process of applying leaf to glass.

Once you have the basic technique down, you can use many different types of metal leaf to achieve different looks. So if you are a creative person, it’s an interesting area to explore.

Youtube Tutorials That Explain How to Leaf Well

The Happy Gilder has tons of videos showing how to apply leaf to glass. The whole channel is well done and informative.

Joha Mune’s really great tutorial on how to do a simple project

Something a little more advanced that combines gilding and acid etching

Another Good Tutorial

This tutorial from Gold Leaf Supplies does a nice job of walking step by step through the process. They also have an excellent selection of tools to take a look at if you plan on trying it out yourself.

Looking to order Verre Eglomise? Tell us about your project here.

Verre Eglomise In Design & Restoration

Verre Eglomise in Various Applications

Verre eglomise is typically used as mirror material for accents in furniture, such as cabinet door fronts or backslashes. This material shines in restoration projects where the aim is to preserve the techniques and methods of the original constructions.

In addition, verre eglomise is still used in decorative sign making where it is employed to create the vintage styles seen in bars and posters from the 1920s and before.

another example of a verre eglomise detailed image

Verre Eglomise Cost

Verre eglomise is one of the most expensive types of mirror you can buy. Depending on the leaf material, design, and other considerations (like shape, notches and holes) the cost can vary, but regardless its you should expect to pay a premium for this type of material.

Comparing Decorative Glass and Mirror Products

Most Expensive

Hand-Silvered or Verre Eglomise

Meticulously crafted with precious metals, known for opulence.

Medium Expensive

Antiqued Mirror

Vintage charm with aged appearance, desirable for antique look.

Least Expensive

Painted and Textured Glass

Cost-effective with versatile designs and colors.

Consider your budget and design preferences when choosing decorative glass and mirror products.

How Expensive vs. Other Glass and Mirror Projects

$10 psf

$200 psf

Verre Eglomise Complexity And Timing

Verre eglomise is made by hand and requires a very specialized skill, so that alone is enough to make it much more complicated than other kinds of glass and mirror work. The limited number of glass artists, variation in leaf and design options also make the process much more complicated than traditional mirror projects, including more decorative applications, like antique and glue chipped mirror.

How Complicated vs. Other Glass and Mirror Projects

Reasons for Complication: Handmade, Material Selection Process, Design Selection Process, Extremely Fragile for Shipping

1 week

24 weeks

Verre Eglomise Project Timeline

(Timeline may vary among different companies)

Material Selection

Week 1

Provide Project Details & Receive Quote

Week 2-3

Pay Deposit

Week 4

Receive Finish Sample (Optional)

Week 6-8

Approve Finish Sample (Optional)

Week 9

Wait for Fabrication (Approx. 10 weeks)

Week 10-19

Coordinate Shipping

Week 20-21

Receive Material & Install

Week 22-26

(Contact individual vendors for specific timelines)

Your Guide To Verre Eglomise [September 2023]

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