Very few finishers still offer Roman gilding, also known as English powder gilding. It is a technique from Victorian England, and I learned it early in my training, when I was making traditional frames. It gives a soft, deep gold that paint simply cannot imitate, and it is one of the rarest services I offer here in Dallas.
This carved mirror and the demilune cabinet beneath it are a good example of what it can do.
Before: Flat Silver Paint
When I first saw the pieces at my client’s home, the carved details had been picked out in silver paint. It was flat and dull, sitting on the surface with no life in it. The carving was lovely, but the finish was hiding it rather than showing it off.
The Brief: Match the Client’s Gold Sample
My client wanted gold instead of silver, and she wanted it to look properly gilded, with real depth. She supplied a gold sample as the control, and my job was to match it as closely as I could. Matching a gold is not like matching a paint colour. The tone, the warmth and the way it catches the light all have to agree with the sample.
The Work: Roman Gilding
For this job I mixed the gold powder with a few binders and matched it to my client’s sample. Getting that match right comes first, because everything that follows depends on it.
Powder gilding suits carved detail especially well. It follows every curve and hollow of the carving, so the high points catch the light and the recesses stay rich and warm. That is where the depth comes from.
After: Gold with Depth
My client wanted the gold antiqued with no shine, so I mixed one of my specialty glazes for the final look. The details now read as gilded work, not painted work, and they sit closely alongside the sample my client gave me. The mirror and cabinet look like they were always meant to be finished this way.
Have a Piece That Needs Gilding?
Roman gilding is a rare skill, and numerous shades of gold can be achieved with it. I am glad to offer it alongside my gold and silver leafing. You can see more on my gilding projects page, and read about everything I offer on my gilding services page. If you have a mirror, frame or carved piece in mind, send me a photo for a free estimate through the contact page, or call (469) 371-1468.
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