You've seen them at estate sales: little pictures under domed glass, with a black silhouette of a lady in a hoop skirt floating over a garden. They're called reverse-painted silhouette pictures, or bubble glass pictures, and for a couple of decades they hung in just about every American hallway.
Our matched pair of 1940s courting-couple bubble glass silhouettes is in the shop now for $48, and it's the only pair we have.
See the silhouette pair →
How They Were Made
The trick is in the name. The artist painted the silhouette in black on the back of the glass, working in reverse, so the finished details face you through the glass. Behind the painting sits a printed paper background: a landscape, a garden or a cottage. Because the glass is convex (domed), the silhouette stands a little away from the background and seems to float. Tilt one in the light and you'll see the depth.
Most were finished the same way: a thin metal band crimped around the edge, a cardboard back and a tiny metal hanger.
When They Were Popular
Silhouette pictures peaked from about the 1930s to the early 1950s. Popular subjects were courting couples in old-fashioned dress, ladies at spinning wheels, children and pets, and nature scenes. Many were also given away as advertising gifts by local businesses, with a company name printed on the back.
Who Made Them
- Benton Glass Co. of Benton Harbor, Michigan, was one of the biggest makers. It operated only from 1940 to 1953, which makes dating easy. Benton pieces are known for thin, colorful striped metal band frames.
- Deltex, Reliance and Buckbee-Brehm made them too, sometimes with labels or stamps on the back.
Many pieces are unmarked, especially once a label has worn away. In that case, the frame style and subject are your best clues.
Tips for Collectors
- Check the paint. Look for flaking or scratches on the silhouette. Since the paint is on the back, damage often shows as clear specks.
- Check the background. Water stains or fading on the paper lower the value.
- Pairs are worth more. These were often sold in mirror-image pairs, so a matched set brings more than two singles.
- Labels and advertising backs add interest and help with dating.
From Our Shop
We have a lovely matched pair of courting-couple silhouettes in Benton-style striped frames: see them here. For more on caring for old glass and frames, read our guide on how to clean and care for vintage finds.
Keep browsing:
Vintage home decor →Home & curiosities →Antique photographs →
Keep reading: How to Date Antique Photographs · What Is a Needlework Sampler? · Vintage vs. Antique vs. Retro
Did a little bubble glass silhouette hang in your grandparents' hallway? Tell us who was in the picture.