How to Recognise Later Gilding and Re-Gilding | Antique Repair Shop

Gilded surfaces often contain original leaf, old repairs, toning and later regilding in the same object.

What to examine

Use magnification and raking light to find layer edges, losses, bole, gesso and paint over earlier wear.

Avoid the common trap

Do not strip a later layer automatically; it may be historically important. Cross-section analysis may be needed.

Record your findings

Photograph the whole object, the feature in context and a close-up with scale. Note what is observed separately from any conclusion.

Reliable starting points

[V&A collections](https://www.vam.ac.uk/collections)
[The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Heilbrunn Timeline](https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/)

Identification should combine several forms of evidence. Do not use destructive tests, and seek a specialist opinion where attribution or value matters.

Learn by looking closely

See workshop examinations and restoration details on the [Antique Repair Shop YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/@AntiqueRepairShop).