Gilding
-is the application of a thin layer of precious metal, usually gold, white gold, or silver leaves applied to a prepared surface.
There are two ways of applying the leaf:
-Oil Gilding, that can be used in exterior settings, but cannot be burnished.
-And Water Gilding, a much more expensive process, cannot be used in exterior settings and can be burnished.
Through time, gilded objects such as frames of mirrors, pictures, or furniture, become damaged, and then restoration is necessary. Depending on what it is made from, the base for re-gilding is constructed in the same way as it was originally, with the same strengths of composition, glues and colorings, prior to the application of the gold or silver leaf. The carat of gold is always matched with the original as the surface requires and the restoration is blended seamlessly with the look of the original surface finish.
There are two ways of applying the leaf:
-Oil Gilding, that can be used in exterior settings, but cannot be burnished.
-And Water Gilding, a much more expensive process, cannot be used in exterior settings and can be burnished.
Through time, gilded objects such as frames of mirrors, pictures, or furniture, become damaged, and then restoration is necessary. Depending on what it is made from, the base for re-gilding is constructed in the same way as it was originally, with the same strengths of composition, glues and colorings, prior to the application of the gold or silver leaf. The carat of gold is always matched with the original as the surface requires and the restoration is blended seamlessly with the look of the original surface finish.
Federal Style Convex Mirror After the gesso was applied, the 23K is then added using rabbit skin glue.
Re-gilding was required to bring it back to its original beauty. |
French Gilded Mirror The frame had a few missing parts and damaged areas.
The missing parts were then carved and all of the damaged areas were gilded with original gold leaf to match the original look of the frame. |
19 Century Console Table with Original Gilding and
Original Marble Top
Original Marble Top
 The Console Table had broken and missing elements. Two small hand carved leaves were missing that were carved and replaced, gesso and their spandrel liners were cracked. It required a very time-consuming process as every section of the table needed to be covered.
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 At the end the Console Table was fully restored and re-gilded. When the broken parts were glued back using animal glue, the missing segments of gesso were made and applied.
This photo shows the gesso and gold leaf being applied. |
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Gilded High Relief Mirror Frame
 This Gilded Mirror Frame required extensive restoration work. Some of the carvings were cracked, broken, or missing.
The damaged carvings were repaired and replaced, the 23K gold leaf applied and burnished to match the surrounding original patina. |
Louis XVI Gilded Console Table This side table had many missing and broken details.
Broken details were then glued back using animal glue and missing segments of gesso were made and applied. The re-cut gesso was gilded and toned to match the finish of the original gilded table. |
Louis XV Armchair The right wing and leg were broken. And at various places the gilded surface was chipped off.
When the wing and the leg were repaired, the chair was entirely re-gilded and burnished. |
French Gilded Mirror The gilded mirror had a few missing parts and damaged areas. The missing parts were carved and the damaged areas were fully restored and re-gilded in the original 23K oil gild and 23K water gild highlights.
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