Oil Gilt Altar Candlesticks

These carved wooden altar candlesticks were repaired and re-gilded using 23 1/2 carat gold leaf.

The Gilding of Chester's Eastgate Clock Tower

Chester’s beautiful Eastgate clock tower is the second most photographed clock in the uk. The re-gilding was carried out in oil and more details and images can be seen on our Projects page.

Conserving Old Gold

It is only appropriate that historic decorative finishes such as gilding is cleaned and stabilsed so as to preserve it’s integrity. This photograph shows the conservation cleaning of medieval oil gilding originally carried out on a carved stone substrate.

An Oil Gilt Estoile

Sometimes we stumble across other craftsmen/women up in the rafters. A gilt estoile signed and dated, H.C 1913, found on a G. F. Bodley (1827-1907) ceiling.

Oil Gilding Robert Bakewell's Ironwork

The Robert Bakewell (1682-1752) wrought ironwork was oil gilt at Manchester Cathedral.

Gilding Mythology

Oil gilding caryatids.

The Restoration of Historic Shop Front Signs

Often shop front signs were reverse glass gilded with added painted decoration. In this case the gilt lettering was both reverse glass gilded and gilt pressed metal letters were adhered to the reverse of the glass and then the background was given a painted mahognay finish. As you can see here the gilder had spelt brilliant wrong.

Frame Restoration

A typical Victorian oil gilt composition frame received a full restoration.

17th Century Oil Gilt Carving

Detail of oil gilt and glazed 17th century interior carving.

Filling Missing Bits

It is often required to replace missing elements on objects prior to regilding. Here a large Victorian composition frame had it’s Greek key and beading replaced. When this work is done gilding on the new filling to match the original gilt surface is then carried out.

The Restoration of a Large Regency Water Gilt Frame

A large 6ft x 6ft mirror frame was restored back to its original water gilt finish. Investigations indicated that the frame had been water gilt twice, had a bronze paint applied and then lastly a white gloss layer applied. This was an involved project and is detailed further in the Previous Projects page.

The Restoration of a Regency Convex Water Gilt Frame

This frame was in a bad way and we took the decision to completely restore it to its original water gilt appearance. This photograph is a progress shot whilst replacing the newly water gilt balls.

The gilding process has been used on objects and interiors since the earliest Egypytian times and continues to be used to this day. We carry out a large amount of gilding work using traditional oil, water and glass gilding techniques. We very occasionally use modern materials however this is very limited as we prefer to use traditional materials and techniques to produce a trusted, reliable and visually more pleasing results.
Please use the slider above as a quick browse through some of our gilding work. For more in depth information on our gilding work and research please visit the Previous Projects and News page.

Oil Gilding

Oil gilding is the application of a metal leaf onto an oil based size. It has many uses and can be applied to most substrates but cannot be burnished.

Water Gilding

Water gilding is the application of a metal leaf onto a water base size. The size is applied onto a prepared ground of gesso and bole. The surface can be burnished to a high shine. This method is unsuitable for exterior work.

Glass Gilding - Verre Eglomise

Glass gilding (verre eglomise) is the application of a metal leaf onto the back of glass, usually called reverse glass gilding. Both oil and water sizes can be used to adhere the leaf onto the glass.

Gilding and Historic Finishes

“We have employed the services of Eskdale Restoration to provide quality finishes to our restored metalwork on a number of high quality listed buildings in the recent past and have always been delighted with their attention to detail and knowledge of historic finishes. The small dedicated and friendly team have always worked in a timely manner and to budget. The Eskdale team come highly recommended and we would have no reservations in empolying them again in the furture”.

Steve Gort, Director, Calibre Metalwork Ltd.

6th September 2019

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