A Lithophane ("Vision In Stone") is a porcelain engraving that virtually comes to life when illuminated from behind.  Invented in France in 1827, today's versions of Lithophanes can be extremely detailed pieces of artwork.  So much so that they are often mistaken for photographs.

The process to create a Lithophane is very artistic in nature and quite interesting.  In essence, each section of the kiln-fired translucent porcelain is worked to a different thickness to create the desired lighting effect.  Less light passes through the thicker sections of the porcelain and a darker effect is created. The opposite is true for thinner sections of the porcelain.

A design is first carved into beeswax on an artist's light table.  A master mold then working molds are then produced from the wax impression.  Porcelain is then poured or pressed into a working mold for drying.  The dried piece of porcelain is then hand finished and high-fired in a kiln to 2300°F.  The high temperatures in the kiln make the porcelain vitreous and translucent. 

To make colorized Lithophanes, ceramic glaze is then hand applied to the back side of the porcelain panel and returned to the kiln for a second firing.  This process permanently fuses the coloring into the porcelain.  The difference that results from adding color to many images is quite remarkable as you can see here. 

The process of creating a Lithophane is so difficult to master that over half of the pieces usually don't make it through the process.  But when they do ~ a beautiful Lithophane is born!