Hirst Conservation specialises in the conservation of oil and water gilded surfaces on objects ranging from frames and furniture to historic decorative interiors and architectural features.

The services offered for the treatment of gilded objects include:

• Assessment of condition and examination to determine type of gilding and causal factors of deterioration

•  Surface cleaning

•  Consolidation of areas of flaking

•  Filling and preparation of substrate (gesso or plaster), including the application of bole or appropriately-coloured base coat

•  Removal of bronze paint and inappropriate layers

•  Re-gilding, where appropriate, using silver or gold leaf (22 carat or higher and colour matched to surviving), applied either as loose or transfer leaf

•  Oil or water gilding techniques, used as appropriate

•  Complementary techniques such as burnishing, stamping and scraffito

•  Distressing and/or toning down of new gold to match existing
  

Some of our projects include:

• Clock Tower, Cardiff Castle – Gilding of windows, statuary, heraldry, clocks, and other architectural features.

• Old Hall, Queens’ College, Cambridge – Conservation and restoration of 19th century painted interior by G F Bodley

• St Alban’s Church, Macclesfield- Reconstruction of 19th century interior polychrome scheme

• Cusworth Hall, Doncaster – Restoration of altar table from Paines Chapel