To be in keeping with the authenticity of the object under restoration, the same tools and the same technique as when the object was originally made must be used...

The work of a gilder

Any work of restoration must be considered in order to estimate the needs. The preliminary estimates are indispensable and free of charge. The restoration of a gilded piece of wood implies surgery-like operation.

- eliminating old layers of paint and various inadequate additions,
- preserving original parts,
- renovating broken, faulty or missing parts.

Priming :

After being trimmed. the piece of wood will be pasted, and primed. From 8 to 12 layers of primming made of Meudon White and rabbit-skin glue, will then be applied. The next step consist of sanding down the piece in order to obtain a perfectly smooth surface. With the help of irons of various shapes, we proceed with the remodeling of the sculpted parts.

Casting :

The paste of Meudon Whites and skin-rabbit glue is crushed in a matrix and is set on the piece while it is still flexible. This technique was used from the 19 th onwards and is still today, with the same materials and implements : a mould is made and a new part is placed where an item is missing.

The "bolus" :

The bolus (in french :"assiette") is a specific type of red clay, used by gilders. It is applied to protruding parts of ornaments.

Water gilding:

The piece under restoration is moistened thanks to a "mouilleux". The gold leaf is then carried to the piece with a "palette".The water helps the gold leaf to be snatched on to the surface.

Burnishing :

When it is dry, the gold leaf is polished with the help of a brunisher and becomes shiny : the hollow parts remain unpolished which, by contrast, gives a perfect sheen to the protruding parts. Thanks to the burnising, the pars which are being restored will acquire a perfect "authentic" look.