Conservation & Restoration of Gilded Objects
Bring your picture frames, decorative arts, furniture and icons. We offer traditional water gilding and oil gilding with gold and silver leafs.
All restoration and conservation projects require a close inspection of the object, and discussion with client.
Conservation
Conservation includes the cleaning and treatment of an object while preserving its original gilding. This may call for partial in-gilding and re-gilding. Dust, dirst, and aging of a gilded surface are respected and remain untouched during the process, while still providing a good repair. We generally don’t recommend a full re-gilding of a surface.
Restoration
Restoration is necessary when gilded objects become damaged. The process involves cabinetmaking, repairing damaged ornamentation, gilding and toning. We prepare and use the same materials,
glues and gesso as in the original object, prior to the application of the gold or silver leaf. The carat and color of gold leafs are always matched with the original surfaces. The restoration is blended seamlessly with the look of the original surface finish.
Re-gilding a frame
Re-gilding an old frame for personal use, featuring a copy of a painting by an Italian artist Pompeo Girolamo Batoni (1708-1787) “St. Peter”. The copy is painted in oil, by Svetlana.
Before
In Process
After
Clock
Re-gilding with 24ct gold leaf.
In Process
After
Small Holland Painting with damaged gilded frame
The frame was cleaned, restored and regilded in the places where we restored it to make sure that it matched the original look of the old frame.
In Process
In Process
After
French Gilded Screen Restoration
The French wooden screen had been painted with spray paint. It became very dark with time (almost a brown colour). We removed the old paint carefully, inch by inch, with a paint remover. Under the old paint was the original gilded surface. We restored the missing gold, and then reupholstered with hemp fabric.
Before
After (front)
After (back)
Repairing a frame
Repairing, applying new GESSO in missing parts, restoring missing golden paint.
In Process
In Process
After
Regilding a Frame
Repairing and regilding a big wooden frame with gold leaf substitute.
Before
In Process
After
Restoration of a very old French frame.
Restoration of the original GESSO parts was necessary. We prepared our own GESSO from chalk and rabbit skin glue (classical restoration technique). Then, gilded the parts of the frame that were restored with 24 ct. gold leaf.
After
In process (detail)
In process (detail)
Before (detail)
Before (detail)
Before
After
After (detail)
In process (detail)
Before
This frame was in good condition, but it needed 16 minor repairs, including missing ornaments. The frame was repaired and gilded to match the original surface.
After
After (detail)
Before (detail)
Before (detail)
In process (replaced the bottom part of the leg)
Before (detail)
Before (detail)
A beautiful Louis XV giltwood console table restoration.
After (detail)
After
In process
In process
Before
Restoration of the top ornament.
After
In process
In process
Before
The customer wanted to change the height of the frame to make it shorter.
After
Restoration and gilding in process
Before (detail)
Before (damage on the base)
These geese came with a damaged base with cracks and missing gilding.
After
After (detail)
In process
Before
This antique headboard came with a broken and partially missing top ornament. We recreated and gilded the head ornament.
After
After (detail)
Before (detail)
Before (detail)
Damage in the corners and joints restored and gilded.
After
In process
Before (detail)
Restoration of a pair of wooden French candle holders.
After
After (bottom detail)
After (top detail)
New ornaments in place
New ornaments created
Before
This was a badly damaged frame that came in a bad condition. Missing ornaments all around and the gesso layer was peeled off in many places. We create new ornaments and glued them into place. Half of the frame was created anew and gilded to match the original finish.