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Gilding is the application of thin sheets of metal (usually gold as in gold leaf) as a means of surface decoration. Gilding is commonly seen on decorative items such as picture frames, mirrors and furniture; fine art such as illuminated manuscripts, sculpture and icons. Architectural uses include interior and exterior applications- in religious as well as secular settings, as well as signage. The two primary methods of gilding - water gilding and oil gilding - are described below.
Click on the photos to see the process enlarged

Tools and Materials:
The gilding process requires a specialized set of tools and materials:
* Gilder's pad and knife, for handling and cutting leaf ).
* Gilder's tip, a flat brush-like implement for transferring leaf from the pad to the object being gilded. Tips are available in various widths.
* Burnishers - tools with polished agate (or other stone) tips for rubbing the leaf to develop a highly polished surface.

Materials used include:
* Gold Leaf
* Rabbit skin glue (used in gesso and clay mixtures)
* Clay (bole)
* Materials for toning the gilded surface
* Depending on the gilding project, additional tools and materials may be required.

Water Gilding - Of the two types of gilding, water gilding provides the most brilliant surface. It is most frequently used on frames and objects; it is not use for exterior gilding.
The usual sequence of steps for water gilding are:
* Glue size applied to the wood
* Numerous coats of gesso
* Application of clay (bole ) The gold is then applied using gilder's liquor (water and alcohol); this activates the glue present in the bole.At this point, the leaf may be left as is, providing a matte, frosty appearance, or may be burnished to varying degrees of brilliance. Frequently, some areas are left unburnished in order to provide contrast.

Oil (Matte) Gilding - Oil gilding (also known as matte gilding) uses gold size (varnish) to adhere the gold to the surface. This technique does not allow the leaf to be burnished, and thus does not provide the brilliant finish of water gilding. This technique does allow gilding on a wider variety of surfaces than water gilding, and is the technique used for exterior gilding projects such as signs and architectural work.




Our Gilding Specialties:

* Architectural Gilding
* Verre Eglomise
* Gilt Restoration and Conservation
* Sign Lettering