Edition 18: Tinsel Paintings
All that glitters is...tinfoil?
The Victorian age was a time for artistic innovation, which included a subset of glass art called Tinsel Painting. These pieces were usually made using a glass surface and applying different colored foils to the reverse side to create shimmering effects in flickering light (like from candles or gas/oil lamps of the time). This art movement blossomed into a discipline that was taught to young girls through classes and in-school instruction and was even advertised in women’s magazines. You can find early examples of tinsel or foil paintings, but most of the surviving examples are the mid-century pieces that were made with as part of a curriculum. A lot of the pieces you’ll find now are from the ‘70s, with the kitsch baked in
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Victorian Foil Art On Reverse Glass c1850 Folk Wall Art Pansies, Poppies & Roses In Period Oval Frame on Etsy: This is the type of example you will see when it comes to Victorian-era pieces. The lines are sketchy and a bit crude and the colors are muted, but it’s beautiful nonetheless.
Art Deco Antique Tinsel Painting on Glass of a Cross, Original Frame on eBay: This piece is most likely from the ‘30s and has its original wood frame. I’m not always partial to religious art, but this has enough of that gothic feel that it could fit in with the right surroundings without feeling tacky.
Vintage Tinsel Painting Brooch/Pin, Hand Painted Birds on an Eyeglass Lens, Folk Art, Circa 1960s, Remembrance Piece? on Etsy: There’s something so lovely about using an eyeglass lens as the glass to hold a tinsel painting. This little brooch is just darling.
Vintage TINSEL FOIL MIRROR, Wood Frame, Folk Art, Decor, Basket of Flowers/Fruit on Etsy: Fruit was a very popular subject for tinsel paintings, as well as floral arrangements. Not many were made into mirrors, though!
Vintage Miniature Artisan Reverse Glass Tinsel Painting Frog Signed 2.5" square on eBay: He’s just a little guy! This is a really great filler piece for a gallery wall.
Vintage Foil Art Sign Wall Plaque Funny Hot Baths First Water 15 Cents Bathroom on eBay: (Full disclosure: I fell victim to my own newsletter and bought this from another listing.)
Lot Of 2 Vintage Tinsel Foil Metallic Folk Art Glass Reverse Pictures Kitsch on eBay: Okay so one of these is a ballerina, but can anyone tell me what kind of outfit (guns included) the other figure is wearing?
Vintage Reverse Painting On Glass Tinsel Foil Folk Art Floral 9” x 7” on eBay: If you’re looking for a bolder options, this tinsel painting is just that. I love all of the different shades of green.
Vintage Tinsel FOIL Painting Art 1970s Mushroom Gold Bamboo Frame 7.5” x 5.5” on eBay: Look, I couldn’t include a kitschy roundup without a mushroom. I do really love the bamboo frame on this as well.
2 Antique Victorian Folk Art Tinsel Reverse Painting Hearts Women Wallpaper on eBay: Now this is the gold standard. There isn’t a date anywhere, but I’d guess these are from the late 1800s. The detail in the foil painting paired with the portraits is just so good.
Honorable Mentions:
What terms were searched:
Tinsel painting
Foil painting
Tinsel folk art
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This is the newsletter dedicated to leaving no vintage stone unturned. Each edition will cater to a rabbit hole that I fell down one night and include an assortment of vintage finds that make you question “Why did anyone own this?” followed quickly by “Should I own this?”
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