Gilding in the 18th Century: Craftsmanship and Luxury

130 products

130 products
A Queen Anne Silvered Mirror Sconce 90x57cm with ornate silvered frame and beveled engraved mirror plate circa 1710 England.
A Queen Anne Silvered Mirror Sconce 90x57cm with bevelled plate and ornate silvered bolection moulded frame.
A Queen Anne Silvered Mirror Sconce 90x57cm
Collection CK40
Register / Login to view prices
Pair of Neo-Classical Twin Branch Wall Lights
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Register / Login to view prices
Restauration gilt-bronze vase with rams’ heads and grapevine details on square plinth by Collection EE20
Restauration gilt-bronze vase with rams’ heads and grapevine swags on a gadrooned socle by Collection EE20
Restauration Gilt-Bronze Vase
Collection EE20
Register / Login to view prices
16th Century Italian Florentine giltwood frame with intricate carvings from Collection EE20 vintage decor
16th Century Italian Florentine Giltwood Frame
Collection EE20
Register / Login to view prices
19th century giltwood throne chair in green silk velvet, attributed to William Kent, sold by Nicholas Wells Antiques
19th century giltwood throne chair by Nicholas Wells Antiques with green embroidered silk velvet upholstery
19th Century Giltwood Throne Chair after William Kent
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Register / Login to view prices
Victorian Lamb of Manchester ebonised side cabinet with ormolu mounts by Nicholas Wells Antiques
Victorian Lamb of Manchester ebonised and ormolu side cabinet by Nicholas Wells Antiques with mirrored center panel
Lamb of Manchester Ebonised and Ormolu Side Cabinet
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Register / Login to view prices
George II Triple Plate Overmantle Mirror with carved giltwood frame and original beveled mercury plates circa 1725.
George II Triple Plate Overmantle Mirror close-up of carved giltwood frame and girandole candle arm detail
George II Triple Plate Overmantle Mirror
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Register / Login to view prices
Fine gilt bronze antique mantel clock by Société des Bronzes de Paris offered by Nicholas Wells Antiques
Fine gilt bronze antique mantel clock by Société des Bronzes de Paris, sold by Nicholas Wells Antiques
Fine Gilt Bronze Antique Mantel Clock by Société des Bronzes de Paris
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Regency Parcel Gilt Fragment of a Mirror Crest with winged lions and ornate regency feathers, circa 1810 England.
Regency Parcel Gilt Fragment of a Mirror Crest with carved wooden laurel leaves and gilded details, England circa 1810.
Regency Parcel Gilt Fragment of a Mirror Crest
Collection CK40
Rare Italian Gilt Bronze Metal Girandole Mirror with ornate scrolls and anthemion design, circa 1750, 94x61 cm.
Rare Italian Gilt Bronze Metal Girandole Mirror with ornate scrolls and candle holder, circa 1750, finely beveled mirror plate.
Rare Italian Gilt Bronze Metal Girandole Mirror
Collection TH30
19th Century Rectangular French Empire Gilt Frame Mirror with anthemions lyres oak leaves acorns ornate design
19th Century Rectangular French Empire Gilt Frame Mirror with ornate anthemions, lyres, and oak leaf details.
19th Century Rectangular French Empire Gilt Frame Mirror
Collection EE30
Neo Classical late 18th Century Parcel-gilt Pier Mirror with gilt strapwork and Roman Emperor medallion circa 1800.
Neo Classical late 18th Century Parcel-gilt Pier Mirror with gilt strapwork and Roman Emperor medallion, Sweden circa 1800.
Neo Classical late 18th Century Parcel-gilt Pier Mirror
Nicholas Wells Antiques
George III Rococo giltwood oval mirror with ornate floral and scroll detailing, English, circa 1770, 81 cm height.
George III Rococo giltwood oval mirror with intricate C and S scrolls and Prince of Wales feathers apex detail.
George III Rococo giltwood oval mirror
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Pair of Napoleon III Rococo window seats with gilded beech frames and cream upholstery from Collection CK20
Close-up of a carved gilt beech cabriole leg on a Napoleon III Rococo window seat from Collection CK20
Pair of Napoleon III Rococo Window Seats
Collection CK20
Regency Giltwood Console Table After the Antique with white marble top and gilt chimera legs, circa 1810 English Regency style.
Regency Giltwood Console Table After the Antique with white marble top and gilt chimera supports circa 1810 England.
Regency Giltwood Console Table After the Antique
Collection EE40
Pair of 18th Century Gilt Carton Pierre Wall Mirrors with rococo scrolls and dragon motifs, England circa 1755.
Pair of 18th Century Gilt Carton Pierre Wall Mirrors with rococo scrolls and mythical creatures detail, England circa 1755.
Pair of 18th Century Gilt Carton Pierre Wall Mirrors
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Terracotta bust of a woman after Francesco Laurana, circa 1890, offered by Nicholas Wells Antiques
Portrait Bust of a Woman — After Francesco Laurana (ca. 1472)
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Pair of George III Giltwood Wall Brackets
Collection CK10
Pair Of Neo Classical George III Giltwood Wall Brackets
Collection TH10
Pair of Giltwood Wall Mirrors Italy Circa 1880 with gold carved frames, 112cm height and 91.5cm width each.
Pair of Giltwood Wall Mirrors with detailed carved giltwood frame, Italy Circa 1880, 112x91.5 cm size.
Pair of Giltwood Wall Mirrors
Collection EE20
Late 19th century Calamander wood vitrine cabinet with ormolu and porcelain accents by Nicholas Wells Antiques
Ornate ormolu lion head detail and porcelain medallion on Nicholas Wells Antiques calamander wood cabinet
Late 19th Century Calamander Wood Vitrine Cabinet
Nicholas Wells Antiques
George I Gilt Gesso Girandole wall mirror with shell motifs, scrolling vines, and brass swivel candle arms, circa 1720.
George I Gilt Gesso Girandole showing gilt frame detail with brass swivel candle arm and original mirror plate.
George I Gilt Gesso Girandole
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Rare Early 19th Century Regency Octagonal Convex Mirror with giltwood frame, eagle, crocodiles, and serpents carvings.
Rare Early 19th Century Regency Octagonal Convex Mirror with giltwood frame and intricate carved details.
Rare Early 19th Century Regency Octagonal Convex Mirror
Collection PK10
Pair of Bronze and Ormolu Candlesticks
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Giltwood Corinthian capital jardinière with intricate acanthus carving and gilded finish by Collection CK20, circa 1800 England.
Giltwood Corinthian capital jardinière with intricate acanthus carving and gilded finish by Collection CK20, Regency England circa 1800
Giltwood Corinthian Capital Jardiniere
Collection CK20
An eglomise wall clock
Collection TH10
Pair of Charles X cut glass and gilt bronze vases with swan neck handles from Collection CK20 circa 1825 France
Close-up of Charles X crystal vase with ornate gilt bronze swan handle from Collection CK20
Pair of Charles X Cut Glass and Gilt Bronze Vases
Collection CK20
Pair of opaline glass vases with hand-painted irises and narcissi by Collection TH30, lit as elegant table lamps.
Pair of opaline glass vases with hand-painted irises and narcissi, now table lamps by Collection TH30 circa 1850.
Pair of Opaline Glass Vases as Table Lamps
Collection TH30
Fine porcelain ormolu mantel clock with courting couple scenes by Nicholas Wells Antiques circa 1880 France
A Fine Porcelain Mounted Ormolu Mantel Clock
Nicholas Wells Antiques
19th-century Lord Byron gilt bronze mantel clock with Roman numerals by Nicholas Wells Antiques
Lord Byron gilt bronze figure detail from Napoleon III mantel clock by Nicholas Wells Antiques
Lord Byron Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Pair of Victorian Giltwood Oval Wall Mirrors with beveled mercury plates, 19th-century English antique design.
Pair of Victorian Giltwood Oval Wall Mirrors with floral carved giltwood frame and beveled mercury plates, circa 1880 England.
Pair of Victorian Giltwood Oval Wall Mirrors
Collection CK40
Pair of Giltwood Rectangular Wall Mirrors with solid gilded frames and decorative mouldings, English 20th century style.
Pair of Giltwood Rectangular Wall Mirrors with solid gilded frames and decorative mouldings, 20th century English design.
Pair of Giltwood Rectangular Wall Mirrors
Collection CK40
Faux Porphyry Baluster Lamps by Andrew Allfree, classical wooden vases with gold leaf scroll arms, pair from Chateau Collection.
Faux Porphyry Baluster Lamps by Andrew Allfree on side tables beside classic wooden chest in elegant room setting
Faux Porphyry Baluster Lamps by Andrew Allfree
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Fine 18th Century Giltwood Wall Mirror 105x53cm with ornate floral and bird crest, Dutch Netherlands circa 1750.
Fine 18th Century Giltwood Wall Mirror 105x53cm with detailed floral crest and intricate giltwood carvings.
Fine 18th Century Giltwood Wall Mirror 105x53cm
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Carved giltwood lion’s mask showcasing Regency craftsmanship from Collection CK10 with intricate detailing and aged gold finish
Carved giltwood lion's mask with intricate detailing from Collection CK10, inspired by early 19th-century Regency design
Carved Giltwood Lions Mask
Collection CK10
Pair of elegant blue glass facet cut decanters with gold floral design from Collection TH10 showcasing refined craftsmanship
Pair of blue glass facet cut decanters with gold floral detailing from Collection TH10 displayed on white background
Pair Of Blue Glass Facet Cut Decanters
Collection TH10
Pair of Decorative Gothic Giltwood Girandole Mirrors with central dual candle arms, 19th century England.
Pair of Decorative Gothic Giltwood Girandole Mirrors with central dual candle arms, 19th century England.
Pair of Decorative Gothic Giltwood Girandole Mirrors
Collection CK40
Baccarat Harcourt Glass and Gilt Bronze Champagne Cooler
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Pair Of Polychrome Over Powder Blue Chinoiserie Vases
Collection EE10
A Collection of Burmese Gilt Lacquer Trays and Objects
Collection EE20

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.
Recently viewed