Gilding
If ‘Water Gilding’ requires restoration, repairs to gesso groundwork are carried out using the traditional recipe of rabbit skin glue and whiting.
A coloured ‘Bole’ made from red clay is then followed by Gold leaf which is burnished to a high shine.
Toning is then usually required so that the new work blends with original surfaces. We are also able to carry out ‘Oil’ or ‘Mordant Gilding’ which is a different process for laying gold leaf which cannot be burnished.