Water gilding and gilding restoration in London

Water gilding is the traditional method used on fine carved and gessoed frames, mirrors and furniture. Thin sheets of gold leaf are laid on a smooth gesso ground and burnished with an agate stone to a deep, mirror-like shine.

At our workshop in West Norwood, London SE27, we repair and re-gild antique giltwood. We replace lost gesso and carving, match the colour of the original gold, and tone new work so it sits naturally beside the old.

Wherever possible we keep what survives. Original gilding is cleaned and consolidated before anything is replaced, and areas of loss are filled and gilded to match.

A restorer water gilding at the workbench in West Norwood

What we do

Re-gilding of giltwood

Gesso repair

Replacing lost carving

Burnished and matt gilding

Toning to match the original

Frames and mirrors

Furniture and consoles

Period hardware and a gilt pelmet kept in stock for restoration — Period hardware and gilt mounts

Gesso and gold on carved ornaments in the workshop — Gesso and gold on carved ornaments

Have a piece that needs care?

Send us a photograph and a few words about the piece and we will come back to you with our advice. Visits to the workshop in West Norwood, London SE27, are by appointment.

We work with clients across central London, including Chelsea, Mayfair, Kensington, Belgravia and Westminster, and can collect and deliver your piece.

Get in touch