Our antique frame restoration services include:

• Stabilizing Flaking Gesso and Loose Elements
  The first step in any frame restoration is stabilization. We consolidate loose or flaking gesso (the traditional chalk and glue layer beneath gilding or paint) using conservation-grade adhesives to prevent further loss. Detached or unstable ornamentation is carefully re-secured.

• ​Gesso Repairs and Completion of Missing Parts

• Damaged areas of gesso are repaired with materials that closely replicate the original composition. Where decorative elements are missing, we reconstruct them by hand—either by sculpting, molding, or casting based on surviving sections—to ensure visual and historical accuracy.​
  Retouching and In-painting

• Once structural repairs are complete,

• we carefully in-paint areas of loss using reversible conservation pigments. The goal is to visually unify the surface without overpainting or obscuring the original work.​
  Gilding and Patination

• We offer both traditional water gilding and oil gilding using genuine gold, silver, or metal leaf, matching the original tone and technique.

• Re-gilded or repaired areas are then patinated to harmonize with the aged appearance of the surrounding surfaces, ensuring a seamless blend between old and new.​
  Surface Cleaning and Conservation Finishing

• Dirt, grime, and old varnishes are carefully removed from the frame’s surface using appropriate solvents or dry cleaning methods.

• A conservation finish is then applied to protect the surface and unify the appearance.

 

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