The art of restoration GILDING RESTORATION
Specialising in oil and water gilding restoration we provide a complete restoration service to both trade and private customers, from collectors and antique dealers to galleries/museums and individuals.
We repair items without over restoring so that each piece still shows its age and retains its history. Any new gilding is toned and distressed to perfectly match the original gilding and patina which has developed over the years, therefore conserving not only its heritage but also its natural beauty.
The gilded French cherub ornament was made in the mid 19c from Carton Pierre. This is a mixture of fine paper pulp, glue and whiting; when pressed into moulds the finished item is far lighter than carved wood or composition moulded ornaments. Restoration involved securing the head in position and moulding acanthus leaves, which were assembled around the wire supports. A new bow was constructed on the top of the wreath using the traditional wired method, and then attached between the two cherubs; the trailing ribbons could then be moulded and positioned in their outstretched hands. Once the ground colour was correct, all restoration work was gilded and distressed.
A pair of 19c carved giltwood console tables with original marble tops. Both tables needed extensive restoration. All the missing pieces of ribbon and garlands were carved in limewood, the flaking gesso was removed or stabilised and new layers applied, cut and smoothed before gilding. Unfortunately one of the tables was also missing the centre cameo and ribbon which had to be copied from its pair, remoulded by hand onto a limewood tablet in reverse profile, then gilded and distressed to match the original.
