Chrystoleagram, Ladies with a playful Monkey

Late 19th Century Crystoleum (Crystoleagram) — Elegant Interior Scene with Ladies and Monkey, Gilt Framed Victorian Decorative Panel

This refined late 19th-century crystoleum (also known as a crystoleagram) depicts an elegant Victorian interior scene of three young ladies playfully interacting with a pet monkey, a fashionable subject in late-Victorian decorative art. Rendered in soft pastel tones with fine detail, the image displays the luminous, painterly quality typical of high-quality crystoleums.

Crystoleums were produced by mounting delicately coloured photographic prints behind convex glass and were highly prized for their rich surface effect. This example is presented in its original substantial gilt frame, richly moulded and decorative, enhancing its period character. An indistinct signature appears at the lower margin. A charming and increasingly scarce example of Victorian glass-mounted photographic art with strong decorative appeal.

Size 56 x 43 cm (22 x 17 inches

Most objects sold in our gallery are antiques, vintage or used; therefore, they will show signs of being antique, vintage or used. There may be signs of scratches, discolouration, chips, cracks, wear and tear, unknown manufacturers and/or patterns. Please see the photographs as they form part of the description.  Overseas buyers in some countries may be required to pay any import duties, taxes, or fees. All items are meticulously wrapped and prepared for both UK and international shipping. Overseas buyers, please get in touch for courier charges.

The chrystoleum process applied colour to an albumen print, popular from c. 1880 – c. 1910.

An albumen print was pasted face down to the inside of a concave piece of glass. Once the adhesive (usually starch paste or gelatin) was dry, the paper backing of the print was rubbed away, leaving only the transparent emulsion on the glass. The image was then coloured by hand, using oil paints. Another piece of glass was added to the back, and this could also be coloured by hand. Both pieces of glass were bound together, creating a detailed, albeit fragile, image. The process was derived from the 18th-century mezzotint process