Lithophanes online

A rare collection of curiosities that has attracted international interest has now been made available for everyone to see. A Lithophane is a low relief picture on thin white porcelain, frequently found as plaques. When seen in normal light they appear crude but when light passes through them they are dramatically transformed.

Move your cursor over the image above to see

Due to the difficulties around putting Lithophanes on public display the collection is now accessible online.

The Hampshire County Council Museums Service ceramics collection includes forty Lithophanes, which are believed to be the largest collection of these works of art in public ownership in the UK.