Gilders
Gilding appears on more of a historic building than people expect: weathervanes, finials, clock faces, lettering and signage externally, and frames, mirrors, church fittings, plasterwork and decorative schemes internally. The two principal techniques behave very differently. Water gilding on gesso and bole can be burnished to a mirror finish and is the traditional method for frames and fine interior work; oil gilding is more robust, cannot be burnished, and is what is used externally. The gilders in this category carry out both, together with conservation of existing gilded surfaces.
What this category covers
- Water gilding on gesso and bole for frames and interior work
- Oil gilding for external and architectural surfaces
- Weathervanes, finials, clock faces, lettering and signage
- Conservation and consolidation of historic gilded surfaces
- Toning, distressing and matching to existing schemes
Charles Cooper Specialist Decorators & Gilders Ltd
Specialist Decorators & Gilders / INTERIOR CONSULTANTS / PAINTERS AND DECORATORS: At ...
Commissioning gilding work
Establish what is there before intervening. Historic gilded surfaces frequently carry several campaigns of work, and later bronze paint or overgilding may conceal original water gilding beneath. Investigation and analysis come before any decision to clean, consolidate or regild.
Match the technique to the location. Water gilding gives the burnished brilliance of a period frame but will not survive outdoors; oil gilding is the external method. Substituting bronze paint or imitation leaf externally leads to rapid dulling and a poor match against surviving original work.
Ask about the gold, not just the labour. Leaf comes in different carats and thicknesses, and the choice affects both appearance and how long an external gilded surface lasts before it needs attention. It should be specified, not assumed.
Conserve rather than regild where original work survives. Consolidating loose gesso and leaf retains the historic surface; stripping and regilding replaces it. On listed buildings and church fittings that distinction usually determines what will be permitted.
Questions to ask
What is the difference between water gilding and oil gilding?
Water gilding is laid on gesso and bole and can be burnished to a bright mirror finish, but it is not weather-resistant. Oil gilding is laid on an oil size, is more durable and is used externally, but cannot be burnished and has a softer sheen.
How long does external gilding last?
It varies with exposure, the thickness of the leaf and the quality of preparation, but properly executed external gilding is measured in decades rather than years. Poor preparation and thin or imitation leaf are the usual reasons for early failure.
Can a damaged gilded frame be repaired rather than regilded?
Usually. Loose gesso can be consolidated, losses can be recut and regilded locally, and the new work toned to match. Complete regilding removes original surface and is generally avoided where a reasonable proportion survives.
All 3 businesses listed under Gilders
- Britain & Co Ltd Greater London
- Campbell Smith & Co Ltd Hampshire
- Charles Cooper Specialist Decorators & Gilders Ltd Suffolk
Directory information is provided to help visitors identify potentially relevant specialists and suppliers. Inclusion does not constitute a recommendation, approval or guarantee by Tuscan Foundry Products. Please check current services, credentials, availability and suitability directly with each business.