R. Berrocal S.A.C. - Reverse Painted Glass

SPECIALTIES
- Reverse Painted Glass

The ancient technique of reverse painted glass arrived in Peru with the Spanish in the 16th century.  In the beginning, local artisans copied the Spanish techniques, styles and themes but, as with other crafts brought by the Europeans, they developed their own styles.  Over time reverse painted glass became a Peruvian tradition.   Today, Berrocal works with artisans in San Juan de Lurigancho, a town outside of Lima, who create beautiful pieces with intricately hand-painted designs.

The basis for the creation of these decorative pieces is glass hand painted on the underside with various themes, such as landscrapes, traditional motifs or contemporary designs, and then placed in a wooden structure.  The process to produce a reverse painted glass object consists of the following stages:

Cutting the glass
Tracing the design
Painting the design
Painting the glass
Preparing the wood
Puttying
Finshing

In the 16th century the technique of reverse painted glass was found on mirrors. Today, along with mirrors, a wide range of products are being made including boxes, picture frames and trays.