Restoration of frames

As a traditional Italian craft, we design new unique frames and restore Antiques in our Atelier placed in Via Romana 72r, located in the hart of Florence adjacent to Pitti Palace. With our work, we combine the individual taste with the uniqueness of a painting.

Whether creating or restoring an important object of Art, or repairing damaged antique pieces; the traditional restoration techniques brings life back to these original handcrafted artisan creations.

We work only with the highest quality, gold leafing, which when applied to a particular plaster surface, it  forms a fine crack known as craquelè. This particular gilt technique tears the gold leaf resulting in its items looking as authentic and original as possible.

Furthermore, the patina of the gold is of great importance. In order to achieve this perfection, a coating of a substance is applied that is delicately removed in several tedious steps. This is a lengthy process hence requiring a lot of patience for each individual item. Antique frames

Framing preparation and gilding procedures

We create our frames using classic and traditional techniques. Once constructed the wooden structure is proceeded with the creating of the foundation of the frame. With this term the operation of preparation of the wooden surface is indicated in order to continue successively with the gilding.

The so called GESSO adhesive product is spread by paint-brush, various times on the surface. In some cases it is given up to eight coats in order to create the needed elasticity and smoothness. After the surface has been smoothened with use of fine sand paper, a terrea pasta, also known as the BOLE, is diluted in fish-glue and applied to frame in three coats shortly after the bole process. The gold leaf is applied with precise expertise (water-gilding).

Afterwards a tool, called an AGATA STONE, is used to pass over the gold leafing with just the right pressure in order to affix the gold leaf to the frame, creating the shiny, golden, precious like quality of the gold. This procedure is called the burnishing of the frame.

The last step in order to complete the job would be the antiquing of the gold, also known as the PATINA. Here it is executed in several ways, giving of the liquid solutions made up of tempere, powders and adhesives in order to tone down the brilliance and distinguish the desired finish of the gold.

Here every professional uses their own personal techniques. These uniquely mixed substances are used to create the just tonality needed in order to authenticate a finish close to an Original as possible