Water Gilding

The application of precious metals to enhance the appearance of architectural elements and objects of art dates back to earliest civilizations.  The oldest method of applying gold leaf is that of water gilding, an art form as much as it is a process.  Leafed only by hand, water gilding produces a lustre and richness unmatched by any other method of gilding. Water gilding applied to a picture frame must be preceded by thorough preparation of the frame surface.  This begins with the application of finely applied layers of gesso.  The gesso is then sanded to a finish as smooth as porcelain and covered with a thin layer of burnishing bole (coloured clay) that will receive the gold leaf. Next, "gilder's liquor" is applied, and the water gilding begins.  The "liquor" activates sizing in the clay, which adheres the gold leaf and enhances the lustre of the gold when burnished.

Each frame is burnished in certain areas to achieve a mirror like shine, which is only achieved by using the water gilding process.  Agate stones are attached to wooden handles and the gilder burnishes the leaf by hand. 

At Jarvis Hall Fine Frames we use the old, time-honoured method of gilding.  We mix all of our own substances and can change them depending on the desired tone and finish.  One can really see a difference between the results of water gilding as opposed to more contemporary methods.  The difference is certainly worth the meticulous process.               next page

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