Antique Furniture Carving and Gilding Restoration, Renovation and Repair
Antique oil and water gilding and Picture Restoration and Conservation
Gilded objects such as a antique mirror or picture frame, or antique furniture pieces are damaged relatively easily if they are knocked and gilding can discolour or wear away.
Oil and watercolours can become very dirty through nicotine deposits and general age. They may become torn or they may need to be re-streched there is also the possibility that areas of paint are missing. We are capable of restoring your picture to its original standard of beauty and originality.
When the restoration of antique items are carried out, the repair needs to be done in such a way that restoration is unnoticeable, and more importantly the period remains intact.
Example of our antique furniture gilding restoration work
As part of Green & Cockburn's vast antique restoration expertise we are able to undertake, to the finest degree, oil and water gilding.
The process of gilding, particularly on antique gilded mirror and picture frames, involves many hours of intensive work in order to replicate various designs and seamlessly repair damaged pieces.
Our workshop is fully equipped for antique gilding and restoration using traditional methods and materials.
Gilded frame circa 1800
This rather nice frame came into our workshop extremely damaged, it had fallen from a wall and bounced twice apparently.
The frame had to be taken apart completely, the original corners had to be broken as the nails holding them were bent.
Broken parts were then glued back using animal glue and missing segments of gesso were made and applied to the frame, cracks that had appeared in the frame from general age are also repaired at this stage.
Above you can see the broken frame with the corners and age cracks.
After the missing segments have been applied and the new gesso made and fixed, clay is added to the surface structure of the frame so it can be burnished.
The gold which is 23 1/2 carat is then added using rabbit skin glue, this is a very time-consuming process as every section of the frame needs to be covered.
When the glue is dry the gilded frame can be burnished using an agate stone.
Below you can see some sections of the newly gilded frame.
Restoration of two 17th-century pier glasses.
Two rather fine 17th-century pier glasses with fitted candle sconces, the gilding on these frames has become broken and distressed, there are many splits and sections of gilding that are missing.Below you can see two pictures of the pier glasses, prior to restoration.
The restoration process was first to remove the mercury covered glasses then to repair the splits in the frame with animal glue, this process is very time-consuming as one must not loose the shape of the actual frame.
The next process is to remove any old gold work and gesso, when this is done new gesso can be made and relayed.
When this is done, clay is made and laid on to the gesso, when this is dry the clay is carved back to show the frame as it should be, it is then gilded.
Below you can see a picture of one of the frames in mid restoration, the main glass framework has been repaired and had its gesso and clay applied, the outer decorative area has been gilded.
Below you can see a picture of the finished pier glasses.
Carving restoration and conservation
Many pieces of antique furniture and clocks include items of decorative carving and it is often these parts that suffer from wear and tear the most.
As Green & Cockburn undertake a great deal of furniture restoration, it is often necessary to perform carving on replacement timber that is crafted to give the piece it's original look and feel.
Relief and incised carving can be carried out to the highest standard, which will enable a true restoration for any item of antique furniture.
Example of our antique furniture carving restoration work
We would be more than happy to show you
examples of our gilding and carving work on antique furniture on request.
Looking for an experienced antique
gilding or carving restorer - contact Malcolm Green on …
Tel : 01462 790646 or E-mail : Malcolm
Green