Large Water Gilt Regency Mirror Frame

This large Regency mirror frame had been stored in an outbuilding in North Yorkshire for many years up until recently. It is believed that it had been housed in the outbuilding since WWII. There is no record from where it orginally came however, there can be no doubt that, due to its size, it originates from a large stately home. It is a Regency frame dating around 1810-1820. Thankfully the outbuilding was dry so the frame did not suffer any damp related issues however it was evident that there had been previous interventions and that the whole framework had been overpainted on at least two occasions.

Our investigations revealed that the frame had been originally entirely water gilt, having a pink bole layer. It then had a further water gilt layer this time havng a black bole base. Following the water gilt layers was an oil gilt layer and this was followed by a bronze paint. Finally the whole frame had a white oil based gloss finish which can be seen in the photographs above. It was decided to reinstate the original water gilt finish.

Before any water gilding could be carried out it was necessary to remove all oil based top coats and get back to the original layer. This allows for the process of water gilding to be carried out successfully, the paint removal process would also help regain detail lost detail.

Above photographs show the top paint coats removed. All gilt balls and leaf moulding were removed too, this enabled the cleaning and the forthcoming water gilding to be carried out with greater efficiency and effectiveness.

A previous intervention saw the gilt balls re-sited on the frame in an unsatisfactory way (see uppermost photographs). Some were missing and some of a different size. Once all balls had been water gilded and burnished they were arranged in the proper manner. Considering the size of the frame there were few mouldings and detail to replicate and replace.

The frame was now ready for the bole layer (a fine clay bound with rabbit skin glue). Due to the size of the frame this was carried out in sections.

After the bole layers were dry and prepared the water gilding was applied and then burnished to a high shine.

The frame is reunited with its original glass and now resides in a new build library, looking rather splendid.