Q: This reverse-painted glass sign has been in my family since the early 1960s. It was given to my mother by a retired minister who brought this with him from Sweden. The words “Jag och mitt hus wilja tjena Herren” are printed on it. I can’t find any kind of information on it. Can you help?
A: The words are Swedish for “I and my house will serve the Lord,” a popular quote from the Bible. In reverse glass painting, the words or images are painted on the back of the glass and then the glass is turned over and framed. The technique was first used to paint religious items, including Byzantine icons, in the Middle Ages. There are collectors of vintage reverse-painted glass signs with pictures and slogans, but prices of reverse-glass items with only words sell for low prices.
I have a number of reverse painted pictures. None of them includes text…just beautiful pictures or silhouettes. The unfortunate thing about reverse painted pictures is that if you break the glass on most pictures, the picture remains intact. If you break the glass on these, it’s good-bye picture. I lost my favorite one when it fell.
I have a number of reverse painted pictures. None of them includes text…just beautiful pictures or silhouettes. The unfortunate thing about reverse painted pictures is that if you break the glass on most pictures, the picture remains intact. If you break the glass on these, it’s good-bye picture. I lost my favorite one when it fell.
I have one of these paintings, only it’s in German. I’m really not quite sure how to post a picture, but I think mine is prettier.
I have one of these paintings, only it’s in German. I’m really not quite sure how to post a picture, but I think mine is prettier.