I did a Verre églomisé window for the 2011 San Francisco Decorator showcase that had people asking me questions about the finish. The technique predates the name by many centuries, the term Verre églomisé refers to gilded glass often combined with other painting and finish techniques for decorative effects. 

Here is some historical information from Wikepedia:

Verre églomisé is named after Jean-Baptist Glomy, a French 18th Century frame maker to Louis XVI, who used the technique extensively to embellish framed prints and to decorate mirrors and trumeaux for Marie-Antoinette.

Although some of the finest work was carried out in the 18th and 19th centuries, it is much older, with early examples of Eglomise glass decorated bowls from a tomb in Italy, dating from the third century B.C.

Eglomise glass is: gold leaf; silver leaf; paint, on its own or in combination, applied to the underside of a sheet of glass.

At its simplest a single or double line of gold leaf was laid on the glass, protected by a layer of black paint this technique is still employed today in framing for traditional prints.

At its most intricate, complicated and elaborate designs can be achieved.

Art Deco saw the most modern application of the art with the ocean liner SS Normandie representing the art with incredible panels by Jean Dupas.  This magnificent ship was used by the French government to display the best artisans of France and to promote the new artistic style known as Art Deco.

This is a decorative technique where the line between art and design becomes blurred, I think the technique would be great as a contemporary application in very modern setting. Nothing reflects and glows like glass, it can add the luminous element to an interior.

image credit: all-art Le char de Poséidon Mural du grand salon

Panels with gold, silver, platinum and palladium leaf from the Chariot of Thetis mural

image credit: Christie’s A pair of 'Verre Eglomise' panels from Chariot of Thetis mural for the Grand Lounge of the ocean liner S.S. Normandie Jean Dupas, the glass by Jacques Charles Champigneulle, circa 1934

image credit: Maison Gerard. Shown above, one pair of three panels

2011 San Francisco decorator Showcase

Verre églomisé window The entry hall window is done using a traditional french technique. Verre églomisé, from the French term meaning glass gilded, is a process in which the back side of glass is gilded with gold or metal leaf. The gilding may also be combined with reverse painting on glass. Willem overpainted the gilding with a subtle tone on tone motif of thistles and flowers drifting on the wind

Window Detail / Floating thistles and dandelions