Gilding Advice

Rare Victorian

www.RareVictorian.com
Administrator
Hero Member

Karma: 6
Posts: 616

Gilding Advice

« on: August 05, 2008, 07:47:45 PM »

I'm going to speak to 2 or 3 gilding professionals but thought I'd also float this out to the forum as well.

I'm looking to restore the Pottier & Stymus set that I recently acquired and am looking for the authentic way to restore the metalwork. To me, it looks as if gold paint were applied originally due to the way the "overspray" makes it's way around the edge to the back of the item. It seems brush-applied. It doesn't look as if it were truly oil or water gilded. Anyone have some opinions?

Click the photo to enlarge.


	Logged

Stop by the Rare Victorian blog - www.RareVictorian.com

ThePeacockRoom

Full Member

Karma: 7
Posts: 132

Re: Gilding Advice

« Reply #1 on: August 06, 2008, 01:46:03 AM »

Quote from: Rare Victorian on August 05, 2008, 07:47:45 PM

It may be fire gilding.


	Logged

~TPFKAMLB (The Poster Formerly Known as MissLilyBart)
--------------
Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.

Rare Victorian

www.RareVictorian.com
Administrator
Hero Member

Karma: 6
Posts: 616

Re: Gilding Advice

« Reply #2 on: August 06, 2008, 02:02:30 PM »

Yes, seems like that is what it is. Taking it to a conservator next week so he can get a first-hand look at it. I would likely have two choices then, send it to France where fire gilding isn't illegal, or have another process done in the U.S. which isn't authentic and is a compromise in looking and being authentic.


	Logged

Stop by the Rare Victorian blog - www.RareVictorian.com

woodwright

Full Member

Karma: 8
Posts: 184

Re: Gilding Advice

« Reply #3 on: August 07, 2008, 04:19:31 AM »

I don't know a lot about gilding - although I've seen it done and understand the process.
I wonder if a jeweler could tell you whether the mounts are Gilt (real gold leaf) or paint. Gold leaf is typicaly high in gold content. I know there are chemical tests for gold, and other tests too.
Here is a link to The Society of Gilders http://www.societyofgilders.org/?action=page&area=18 they may be able to help you with information/ identification, & finding a gilder to restore them.
Sending them to France to have them fire gilded sounds like an expensive proposition - but may be the most authentic way (if they turn out to be fire gilded) if cost is not a limitation. Paint would of course be the easiest and least expensive - there are gold leaf like paints. I wonder how much different they would look if gilded the "normal" way w/ gold leaf sheets rather than fire gilding w/ Mercury?


« Last Edit: August 07, 2008, 12:15:54 PM by woodwright »	Logged

Pages: [1]

« previous next »

Rare Victorian Forum