Gilding is the art of applying a range of metal foils to a surface to produce a decorative finnish.

Oil gilding is the simpler form and is used extensively in interiors. The foil or leaf is attached with a glue size and produces a matt finnish. A wide range of leaf can be used: aluminium, fake gold, different golds, silver, and a range of gold silver and palladium alloys. Metal powders can also be used to produce interesting effects. Oil gilding can also be distressed, aged or finished in a variety of ways.

Water gilding is expensive and sophisticated finish that has an ancient history. The technology involves building a fine surface in gesso (made from rabbit skin glue size and whiting) on a wooden or plaster base, then applying a fine clay layer ( known as bole). These layers can be up to 20 coats. The leaf is applied onto a puddle of water, when the clay underneath has dried, the leaf is burnished with a polished agate stone. The clay takes up the burnish and the leaf looks polished. This surface is then distressed and the leaf overlaps, every three inches, show up. The leaf comes in three and one eighth inch squares and a variety of colours. The leaf is made from a variety of alloys of Gold, Silver, Palladium and very small amounts of base metals. It has to have the malleability of gold and silver to survive the gold beating in leaf production to get Th. extreme thinness that is required. It also needs this malleability to survive the burnishing process. The bole comes in a range of colours and can be mixed to increase the range. This can be used to great decorative effect.

We cover all the gilding craft skills and enjoy the challenge of stretching the medium. We are happy restoring pieces and creating contemporary looking finishes.