Gilding in the 18th Century: Craftsmanship and Luxury

113 products

113 products
Lamb of Manchester Ebonised and Ormolu Side Cabinet, 19th-century, Victorian, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the Lamb of Manchester Ebonised and Ormolu Side Cabinet, 19th-century, Victorian
Lamb of Manchester Ebonised and Ormolu Side Cabinet
George II Triple Plate Overmantle Mirror, 18th-century, giltwood and glass, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the George II Triple Plate Overmantle Mirror, 18th-century, giltwood and glass
George II Triple Plate Overmantle Mirror
Fine Gilt Bronze Antique Mantel Clock by Société des Bronzes de Paris, circa 1890, glass – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the Fine Gilt Bronze Antique Mantel Clock by Société des Bronzes de Paris, circa 1890, glass
Fine Gilt Bronze Antique Mantel Clock by Société des Bronzes de Paris
Regency Parcel Gilt Fragment of a Mirror Crest, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the Regency Parcel Gilt Fragment of a Mirror Crest, photographed from another angle
Regency Parcel Gilt Fragment of a Mirror Crest
Rare Italian Gilt Bronze Metal Girandole Mirror, circa 1750, Rococo, glass, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the Rare Italian Gilt Bronze Metal Girandole Mirror, circa 1750, Rococo, glass
Rare Italian Gilt Bronze Metal Girandole Mirror
19th Century Rectangular French Empire Gilt Frame Mirror, giltwood and glass, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the 19th Century Rectangular French Empire Gilt Frame Mirror, giltwood and glass
19th Century Rectangular French Empire Gilt Frame Mirror
Neo Classical late 18th Century Parcel-gilt Pier Mirror, circa 1800, giltwood and glass – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the Neo Classical late 18th Century Parcel-gilt Pier Mirror, circa 1800, giltwood and glass
Neo Classical late 18th Century Parcel-gilt Pier Mirror
George III Rococo giltwood oval mirror, 18th-century, glass, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the George III Rococo giltwood oval mirror, 18th-century, glass
George III Rococo giltwood oval mirror
Pair of Napoleon III Rococo window seats with gilded beech frames and cream upholstery – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the pair of Napoleon III Rococo Window Seats, circa 1875, photographed from another angle
Pair of Napoleon III Rococo Window Seats
Pair of 18th Century Gilt Carton Pierre Wall Mirrors, Georgian, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the pair of 18th Century Gilt Carton Pierre Wall Mirrors, Georgian
Pair of 18th Century Gilt Carton Pierre Wall Mirrors
Portrait Bust of a Woman — After Francesco Laurana (ca. 1472), circa 1890, terracotta – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Portrait Bust of a Woman — After Francesco Laurana (ca. 1472)
Pair of George III Giltwood Wall Brackets, 18th-century, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the pair of George III Giltwood Wall Brackets, 18th-century, photographed from another angle
Pair of George III Giltwood Wall Brackets
Pair Of Neo Classical George III Giltwood Wall Brackets, circa 1950, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the pair Of Neo Classical George III Giltwood Wall Brackets, circa 1950
Pair Of Neo Classical George III Giltwood Wall Brackets
Pair of Giltwood Wall Mirrors, glass, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the pair of Giltwood Wall Mirrors, glass, photographed from another angle
Pair of Giltwood Wall Mirrors
Late 19th Century Calamander Wood Vitrine Cabinet, Victorian, ormolu and porcelain – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the Late 19th Century Calamander Wood Vitrine Cabinet, Victorian, ormolu and porcelain
Late 19th Century Calamander Wood Vitrine Cabinet
Fret-Cut George III Mahogany Veneered Mirror with Gilt Ho-Ho Bird, 18th-century, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the Fret-Cut George III Mahogany Veneered Mirror with Gilt Ho-Ho Bird, 18th-century
Fret-Cut George III Mahogany Veneered Mirror with Gilt Ho-Ho Bird
George I Gilt Gesso Girandole, 18th-century, Rococo, brass and glass, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the George I Gilt Gesso Girandole, 18th-century, Rococo, brass and glass
George I Gilt Gesso Girandole
Rare Early 19th Century Regency Octagonal Convex Mirror, giltwood and ebonised, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the Rare Early 19th Century Regency Octagonal Convex Mirror, giltwood and ebonised
Rare Early 19th Century Regency Octagonal Convex Mirror
Pair of Bronze and Ormolu Candlesticks, circa 1810, Empire, gilt bronze, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Pair of Bronze and Ormolu Candlesticks
Giltwood Corinthian capital jardinière with intricate acanthus carving and gilded finish, circa 1800 England
Alternative view of the Giltwood Corinthian Capital Jardiniere, circa 1800, Regency, brass
Giltwood Corinthian Capital Jardiniere
An eglomise wall clock, glass, by Eardley Norton, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
An eglomise wall clock
Pair of Charles X cut glass and gilt bronze vases with swan neck handles circa 1825 France – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the pair of Charles X Cut Glass and Gilt Bronze Vases, circa 1825, ormolu
Pair of Charles X Cut Glass and Gilt Bronze Vases
Pair of opaline glass vases with hand-painted irises and narcissi, lit as elegant table lamps – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the pair of Opaline Glass Vases as Table Lamps, circa 1850, photographed from another angle
Pair of Opaline Glass Vases as Table Lamps
Lord Byron Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock, circa 1870, Napoleon III, ormolu, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the Lord Byron Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock, circa 1870, Napoleon III, ormolu
Lord Byron Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Fine porcelain ormolu mantel clock with courting couple scenes circa 1880 France – Nicholas Wells Antiques
A Fine Porcelain Mounted Ormolu Mantel Clock
Pair of Victorian Giltwood Oval Wall Mirrors, glass, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the pair of Victorian Giltwood Oval Wall Mirrors, glass, photographed from another angle
Pair of Victorian Giltwood Oval Wall Mirrors
Pair of Giltwood Rectangular Wall Mirrors, 20th-century, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the pair of Giltwood Rectangular Wall Mirrors, 20th-century, photographed from another angle
Pair of Giltwood Rectangular Wall Mirrors
Carved giltwood lion’s mask showcasing Regency craftsmanship with intricate detailing and aged gold finish
Alternative view of the Carved Giltwood Lions Mask, circa 1810, Regency, photographed from another angle
Carved Giltwood Lions Mask
Faux Porphyry Baluster Lamps by Andrew Allfree, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the Faux Porphyry Baluster Lamps by Andrew Allfree, photographed from another angle
Faux Porphyry Baluster Lamps by Andrew Allfree
Fine 18th Century Giltwood Wall Mirror 105x53cm, circa 1750, Rococo, glass, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the Fine 18th Century Giltwood Wall Mirror 105x53cm, circa 1750, Rococo, glass
Fine 18th Century Giltwood Wall Mirror 105x53cm
Pair of elegant blue glass facet cut decanters with gold floral design showcasing refined craftsmanship
Alternative view of the pair Of Blue Glass Facet Cut Decanters, photographed from another angle
Pair Of Blue Glass Facet Cut Decanters
Pair of Decorative Gothic Giltwood Girandole Mirrors, 19th-century, glass, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the pair of Decorative Gothic Giltwood Girandole Mirrors, 19th-century, glass
Pair of Decorative Gothic Giltwood Girandole Mirrors
Pair Of Polychrome Over Powder Blue Chinoiserie Vases, circa 1930, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the pair Of Polychrome Over Powder Blue Chinoiserie Vases, circa 1930
Pair Of Polychrome Over Powder Blue Chinoiserie Vases
A Collection of Burmese Gilt Lacquer Trays and Objects, circa 1920, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the Collection of Burmese Gilt Lacquer Trays and Objects, circa 1920
A Collection of Burmese Gilt Lacquer Trays and Objects
An Exceptional Indian Kutch Silver gilt Répoussé Flask, 19th-century, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the Exceptional Indian Kutch Silver gilt Répoussé Flask, 19th-century
An Exceptional Indian Kutch Silver gilt Répoussé Flask
Pair of Louis XV style four-light ormolu candelabra with intricate design luxury decor – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the pair of Louis XV Style Four-Light Ormolu Candelabra, Rococo, gilt bronze
Pair of Louis XV Style Four-Light Ormolu Candelabra
Pair of 18th Century Rococo Parcel Gilt Italian Wall Brackets, circa 1775, giltwood – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the pair of 18th Century Rococo Parcel Gilt Italian Wall Brackets, circa 1775, giltwood
Pair of 18th Century Rococo Parcel Gilt Italian Wall Brackets
Pair of Burnished Giltwood Wall Mirrors, 19th-century, ebonised, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Pair of Burnished Giltwood Wall Mirrors
Willy Rizzo Flaminia Gold Plated Low Table, 20th-century, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Willy Rizzo Flaminia Gold Plated Low Table
Pair of Neo-Classical Bronze Urn Lamps, circa 1970, brass, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the pair of Neo-Classical Bronze Urn Lamps, circa 1970, brass
Pair of Neo-Classical Bronze Urn Lamps

In the 18th century, gilding was central to the decorative arts, transforming wood, metal, porcelain, and architectural details into dazzling statements of wealth and taste. From the splendour of Rococo France to the refined Neoclassicism of the Louis XVI era, gilding techniques embodied both artisanal skill and stylistic ambition.

Water Gilding

The most traditional method, water gilding involved laying gold leaf over gesso and bole (a red clay ground), then burnishing to a brilliant shine. It was the preferred finish for carved wood frames, mirrors, and fine furniture.

Oil Gilding

Applied over an oil-based adhesive, oil gilding produced a softer glow but greater durability, making it well-suited for architectural decoration, signboards, and less delicate surfaces.

Mercury Gilding (Fire Gilding)

Used extensively for metalwork, mercury gilding fused gold to bronze mounts, clock cases, and lighting. Though highly toxic to produce, the results were unmatched in richness and durability.

Ormolu (Gilt Bronze)

Ormolu refers to gilt-bronze mounts produced by mercury gilding, cast and chiselled with exquisite detail. These mounts adorned Louis XV and Louis XVI furniture, clocks, and objets d’art, epitomising French luxury.

Gilding on Porcelain

Porcelain factories such as Sèvres, Chelsea, and Meissen perfected the art of applying gold paste or leaf after glazing, then re-firing at low temperatures. This produced the delicate trelliswork and floral highlights that became a hallmark of 18th-century porcelain.

Punch and Stipple Gilding

Frames, furniture, and interiors were often given texture by punching or stippling into the gilded surface, creating shimmering contrasts between matte and burnished areas.

Today, gilded antiques are prized for their craftsmanship, beauty, and historical resonance. From ormolu-mounted furniture to porcelain enlivened with gold, these pieces remain enduring symbols of 18th-century elegance and refinement.
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