The Little Things
Designer Monthly's Little Things column places a spotlight on those home accessories that are often overlooked, and we'll show how they can be improved to make a world of a difference. Our pursuit is to enhance the decor through economical yet aesthetically superior measures.
The Art of Gilding and Églomisé
Gilding---the art of applying gold leaf to a surface to make it glitter like gold---has been popular in decorating throughout history, tracing its roots as far back to ancient Egyptian times. People have always been attracted to gold not only for its worth but also for its glittering beauty. The technique of gilding was developed as a more economical way to apply gold to buildings and objects, since it used very thin sheets of gold leaf. Églomisé or verre églomisé is a French technique that uses painting and gilding on the reverse side of glass for a decorative effect. To add that sparkle of sophistication in your home, we’ll explore accessories that are gilded and églomisized.
The Egyptians were the first to apply gilding to their decorative creations and even to functional objects such as drinking vessels. Many gilded objects have been recovered from the tombs of pharaohs. Ancient Greeks also used gilding on their sculpture, including the famous Athena statue that once dominated the Parthenon. During the Middle Ages, illuminated manuscripts were decorated with gilded artwork. The Book of Hours is a medieval prayer book with gilded illustrations as seen below in scenes depicting Mary and the Apostles and St. Matthew writing the Gospel.
But it was in the Renaissance and Baroque periods that gilding and églomisé reached its peak. During the Renaissance, increased prosperity and the growth of classicism encouraged royal and ecclesiastical patronage of the arts. From this support the flowering of architecture, arts, and crafts spread across Europe. In Italy, where the Renaissance started, one can find many gilders, including Italian artisan Valerio Belli. He created the gilt silver box with sculpted rock crystal in 1530 for the Medici, the dukes of Florence. Besides objets d’art, architectural elements were also gilded, as in the following 18th century Italian capital from Regalo Antiques.
The art of gilding may also use metals other than gold, such as silver leaf and bronze leaf. Gilt-silver is also known as vermeil and contains both sterling silver and gold. The French developed the fire-gilding method of creating vermeil, using an amalgam of mercury, sterling silver and gold, where the mercury is burned off. This method eventually disappeared when mercury was discovered toxic. The process of electrolysis eventually replaced the fire-gilding method.
The most common accessories to be gilded were mirrors. The Louis XVI mirror from Balzac Antiques shows a gilded frame, festooned with gilded ribbons and flowers. Another gilded mirror is the English oval mirror from the Hepplewhite period, late 18th century, from Sergeant Antiques. Gilded vines and leaves surround the mirror, topped with an urn. America can also boast its share of gilded mirrors, including the convex mirror from Antiquario Villas, made in the Federal period, and showing the American eagle.
Églomisé, in which paint and gilt is applied to the back of glass, was also a popular technique for decorating mirrors, as shown in the Maison Jansen mirror from Argentina. The leaves around the border of the mirror that look painted in are actually applied on the reverse side. Églomisé was popularized by French gilder Monsieur Glomy in the 18th century, hence the term “églomisé”. Furniture was also decorated with églomisé as seen in these Italian side cabinets and round table. The side cabinets were designed in the Regency style, with églomisized front doors and top using gilded flowers. The round table from Antiquario shows gilded scrollwork on the reverse in a field of geometric pattern.
Functional household objects can also be gilded such as the following candlesticks and serving ware. This Art Nouveau candlestick from Moss Antiques is gilded bronze. The French three-tier dessert stand from Elise Abrams is made from porcelain, bronze, with gilt design on an ultramarine background.
While églomisé might have been very popular in past centuries, the technique is alive and still being used today. Australian firm Goldreverre produces églomisized mirrors, backsplashes, and furniture. The mirror below is a perfect example of églomisé, with distressed silver leaf and painted leaves on the reverse. This can grace the walls of any foyer or living room. Goldreverre also provides custom-designed kitchen backsplashes. In one of their designs, eucalyptus trees created with four different gold leaf finishes fill out the backsplash of a modern kitchen. With over a dozen metallic finishes and a rainbow of colors at their disposal, their artisans can create any design you like.
Gilt accessories and furniture are an elegant way to add that touch of glamour to the design of your room. Antique stores are a great source of gilded furniture and objets d’art. Moreover, contemporary designers and stores are creating new home accessories with gilding. Gold and silver still keep their timeless allure even with today’s simpler tastes.
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