From the Gilder’s workshop…
Frame restoration is part of what makes our shop so unique. Here is an example of an antique mirror that we restored and re-gilded. This lovely piece was in desperate need of some TLC, as parts of the frame were falling off and the overall structure was compromised. Over time, the wooden structure of a frame can become dry and brittle, making it prone to damage. Here are some ‘before’ photos of the damaged framed mirror.
The reverse of a distressed frame before gilding and restoration
(detail) The reverse of a distressed frame before gilding and restoration
To bring new life to this vintage beauty, we built a new support structure on the back of the frame, filled in gaps and missing pieces, and then spot gilded the face as needed.
Gilding is any decorative technique for applying a very thin coating of gold to solid surfaces such as metal (most common), wood, glass, porcelain, or stone.
A gilded object is also described as “gilt”.
A restored antique gold mirror frame
The finished product truly shines! Check out more restoration projects here.