The website of John Brass, Oxford
Gilding and Replacement Carving, Conservation and Restoration

 
Original gilding revealed
A large 1745 white pine mirror frame with a mask of Bacchus in the crest, wave patterns and C-scrolls. The frame was covered with a layer of gesso and oil gilded in the Victorian era. This crude application of gesso obscured the crisp carving in the original 18th century gesso. The Victorian layers of gesso, clay bole and oil gilding were removed to reveal the original water gilded and burnished finish. Losses in the original gesso and water gilding were made good and toned-in to match the original surface.
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John Brass, Gilder & Carver — Conservation and Restoration, Gilding and Replacement Carving