Following is a selection of a variety of objects we have either oil and/or water gilded with gold leaf. It is sometimes beneficial to put upon the gold a surface treatment to either enhance the gold or create a particular special finish.

Above left shows a gilt green man. He was a prime candidate for toning. The toning allows the carving to be better interpreted (see above). Above right, an Art Deco gilt candlestick is receiving a hand mixed green glaze, again this technique aids interpretion whilst also adding a pleasing aesthetic.

Above is a collection of carved wooden altar candlesticks, before and after oil gilding. These can be seen at St. Wilfrid’s Church, Cantley, Doncaster.

Below, a water gilt and ebonised altar cross with four water gilt candlesticks, burnished to a very high shine for the chapel at Sutton’s Hospital in Charterhouse, Charterhouse Square, London.

Above the three heavily carved wooden chancel lanterns at St. Matthew’s Church in Sheffield were restored to an oil gilt finish. To the right, an oil gilt cast ornament for the shrine of St. Aidan, at St. Aidan’s Church, Bamburgh, Northumberland.

Two large carved wood caryatids from a fairground being gilded with real gold leaf.

From gilding mythology to dogs, fine art and the honour of restoring the apprentice piece of the master carver Dick Reid OBE (bottom right).