Gilding

Water gilding is one of the oldest forms of frame decoration, gilding has a reputation for costliness. This is fair, but as my gilder constantly points out ‘You’re paying for the preparation’. That is not the whole story, she underplays the skill required to lay a piece of leaf 1/10,000mm thick which can crumple into a useless mess if someone opens a door at the wrong moment.

The gold leaf is only the superficial bit. To achieve that lustre of solid gold it is the gesso which must be flawless. Upwards of 10 coats of thin gesso are applied and finished to the touch of silk. A coat of coloured clay called ‘Bole’ is applied and water-polished ready for the gold leaf.

Once the leaf is dry the surface can then be distressed, some of the gold is rubbed away, or toned, glazes applied to parts of the surface, often both, to achieve the desired ‘age’ or effect.