Broken Gilded Mirror Frames …..can be fully repaired!

This beautiful 19th Century carved wood and gesso gilt wood mirror fell off a wall and crashed into over 20 pieces causing unbelievable and seemingly irrevocable damage. However after some painstaking glueing and repairing ( some of which you can see below in before and after photos), the mirror was brought back to one piece again. Some antique glass was fitted and much to the owners amazement hung back on the wall in one piece. 

I used traditional water gilding on the repairs, some re-carving of gesso and 23.75 carat gold which i then distressed to match the existing antique finish.

Gold Leaf Dome Ceiling

This wonderful feature of an original dome ceiling in Clerkenwell looked absolutely spectacular when finished in Gold Dutch Metal leaf. You can see the work in progress on site and the final finish close up. 

Gilded Shop Sign for Audio Lounge

This bespoke sign was commissioned for the newly launched Audio Lounge, 138 Wigmore St, W1, home to the world's most exquisite audio experiences.

The signature Copper Leaf gilding and navy blue painted rim were chosen to reflect the customised branding of their extremely distinctive, beautiful and often iconic products. 

Painted Paper repair

I was given a tricky job of repairing a badly torn Chines paper screen which had large gouges taken out of it whilst in storage. The tears were up to 5x 6 inches in places and the torn paper was strongly crumpled. The paintings were beautiful watercolours. However the paper was thick and heavy, like wallpaper and badly stained and browning. Also there was no access to the back so the repairs had to be made good from the front only.

In the circumstances the repairs are pretty good. There were gaps caused in the paper going back to position which I chose to gesso over the brown paper.  I then matched slowly the painted details with watercolours although it was impossible to get a flawless match because of the varying papers. The client was pleased as the screen was both functional and only on close inspection could the repairs be seen. Certainly much better than its sad sorry state when it arrived!

Restoration of A 19th Century Gilded Picture Frame

This is the condition of one of the corners, missing composite moulding and gold leaf. There were 26 repairs required on the whole frame which i repaired with traditional methods and materials 

I recast the mouldings and have gessoed and covered the repairs in traditional bole colours

The frame has been re-gilded and burnished

The finished corner with antique toning to match the rest of the existing frame.

 Below the finished frame completed.

Gilding Leather samples

It's amazing how many different ways there are to gild leather! Using silver, gold, aluminum, copper and Dutch metal leafs in various methods of application it's surprising how many different effects are possible. Not to mention areas that can be distressed or colored by pigments. Shoes, handbags in fact anything that is leather can be gilded, It just opens up new possibilities to create or revitalize your personal fashion accessories.