Gilded Mirror Frames

A client requested restoration of an ornate gilded mirror frame (left, photo 1), and replacement of the broken mirror. The broken mirror had an etched glass top section which was usable and a complete diagonal crack across the bottom section. The customer wished to retain the etched top section, placing it into a new frame, and requested that a Lily of the Valley floral motif be incorporated into the frame design. An artist was commissioned to draw the floral concept as a guide in the handcarving of the 14” crosspiece that fits between the two mirror sections. (Photo 2, before carving and gilding, photo 3 completed top section.)

The new frame, (right, photo 1) was milled, splined, and re-carved by hand as a replica of the original, thus allowing the client to have two frames. The etched glass top section of the damaged mirror was cut horizontally along the bottom edge of the foliate motif, and combined with a new hand beveled mirror on the bottom. The two sections were fit together with a 1/4” airspace to allow a cross section of wood to be placed as a decorative segue. (Photo 3)

The frame was gilded using the traditional water gilding method using 12kt Italian white gold leaf over black and Amalfi blue bole and gently abraded. The gilded crosspiece was given a black casein wash for contrast.

Five small brass screws were screwed-in from the back of the frame into the bottom of the 1/4” wood cross-section to help hold the mirror in place. Three metal corner elements, oil gilded in 12kt white gold and toned, were screwed through three pre-drilled holes on the front of the mirror. Doorskin paneling was attached to the back of the frame with brass screws to conceal the inner hardware.

Commissioned through Charles Douglas Gilding Studio
Gilding by Charles Douglas
Frame and Carving by Calder Danz