Gilding / Applied Arts - Art Engagement

As an arts company we also design and create fine products by the use of Gilding and creation of mosaics at our studio in Tallinn.

About Gilding.

Gilding is the application of a gold covering layer made to a surface, usually glass, wood or metal. We specialize in gilding glass; however can provide gilding for other surfaces, even food with edible gold! The layer to a surface is made up of very thin sheets of metal (leafs) placed together, slightly overlapping to form a complete layer. The size of the leaf used is dependent on the type chosen. However each leaf is normally between 8 cm2 and 14 cm2. The size of leaf allows for each product to have a distinctive grid pattern of the leaf that gives it character and identifies it as gilded.

There are different types of leaf that can be used in gilding, and they often have properties that better suit them to various applications. We would be happy to help you choose a product suited to your requirements.

We predominately use real gold leaf. The leaf is made using real gold to different carat levels, we are also able to provide products on request using an imitation gold. Imitation gold and silver and variegated colour is available and is made from brass.

There is a range of real gold leaf available to choose from, and they all have there distinct look and effect in a finished product. Below is a list the different leaf we have available to use. The different Carat level in the real gold leaf produces different colour tones. Whilst we have provided some pictures, to appreciate the full look of a product and its tone we welcome visits in person to see samples. Further embellishments to gilded items are made by combining gilding with etching out the gild and painting.

Imitation Silver
Imitation Gold
Copper
Real Silver
Real White Gold 6kt (Is a mix of Pure Gold with Silver)
White Gold 12kt (Is a mix of Pure Gold with Silver, around 50/50.
Real Gold 22kt, 23kt, 23.5kt & 24 kt
Real Gold 16.9kt Lemon (Is a mix of pure Gold with Silver. More gold than silver)
Real Gold 18kt Green (Is a mix of pure Gold with Silver. More gold than silver)
Real Gold Red 23kt Is a mix of pure gold with copper)
Moon Gold 22kt is a mix of pure gold with palladium)
Palladium leaf
Platinum leaf

Our Clients:

We like to have a good understanding of our different clients needs, be they private clients, corporate clients, retail or government clients and are able to work with your individual requirements. We are also able to liaise with any interior designers.

Our Gilded Products

We keep some items readily available for viewing and purchase at our studio, in particular leaf mirrors and some furniture however given the great range of possibilities a lot of our work is bespoke and ordered to client’s individual requirements and taste. Below is a list of our main products; however we will consider any clients ideas and discuss possibilities. Any of the items below can also be etched and decorated to a simple clean line or far more elaborate effect. Where needed we measure up for placement of items.

Whilst we take pride in the individual nature of each product, we make, i.e. no two items are exactly identical. We can on request look to keep a uniform look to a product requested in a set quantity.

Gilded glass to form mirrors: available in many different gold tones using real gold leaf. These can be provided with frame or frame free with screw fixing for walls. The glass can be simply gilded in one leaf or be more elaborate combining different leafs and with etchings and painting. We would be happy to show you the possibilities and some samples. Some example pictures are shown, however we do recommend that to fully appreciate the effect of a leaf mirror it is best to visit us and view for yourself. Please note that for a strong and clear reflection effect, it is really only possible to use real gold leaf.

Coffee tables, dinning tables, office tables with gilded glass tops. We make gilded glass tops for tables be they big or small. If you have already a table you would like a gilded glass top for we can look at the possibility of fixing it for you, or we can provide a choice of tables we can use, or we can help you seek out a nice table in a style your looking for to have a gilded glass top placed on it. There are again many possibilities for gilding the glass which can use real or imitation gold leaf, with no additions to it or may include pattern decoration, mixing of leafs, and etching and painting.

Gilded glass splash backs for kitchens / glass wall panel covering and ceiling inlay placements

Our glass splash backs combine wonderful free painting effects which is then gilt backed with real or imitation leaf. Or they can be provided simply leafed, or with etchings. Some example panels are shown below, there are great many possibilities and we generally suggest choosing some colours that would fit the colour scheme of kitchen you currently have. All glass used for kitchen splash backs is always 6mm thick and toughened glass for safety. Note that it is important we know the placement of any cutting out in the glass required for fitting it in place e.g. wall plug sockets and switches, as the cutting in glass for these must be made prior to toughening the glass. We are able to assist in measuring up for kitchen splash backs and helping choose a style that would work for your kitchen.

Gilded glass inlays panels for furniture. Production of replacements for damaged panels in furniture or new panels can be produced to order. Please discuss your requirements.

Gilded glass on Internal or external door. / Wardrobe doors. We can provide gilding to glass doors you already have or a door you intend to buy. If you intend to buy a door with glass in it to be gilded, please first talk to us as we can advise you on some options that may suit along with some requirements needed for the door.

Internal sun screens for windows. Another way of elegantly decorating a window bay area and keeping out the sun / maintaining privacy is to use a double door glass screen which has 2 layers of gilding one facing out ways from the window and another facing inward to the home. Many decorative options exist here, from something simple to highly decorative. Let us know your ideas and we can make some suggestions.

For corporate companies we can provide a range of attractively decorated gilded glass panels for e.g. reception areas, which can contain you etched company name & logo in to glass, then backed up with real gold leaf to produce an impressive effect.

Gilded Souvenirs / Corporate / Private gifts

Edible Gold leafed chocolates. Yes it is possible to eat gold. We provide Belgium and Estonian hand made chocolates which are specially gilded with edible gold. Items are upon request and can be provided in an attractive gift box. Let us know your requirements and we can arrange for you. Please note that we need around 4 weeks notice to provide these.

Etched gift mirrors in 3 sizes. With frame choices and choice of leaf. Additional etchings or printings can be placed on including national flags and logos.

Special gilding projects – Regeneration of items to be gilded and any totally bespoke gilding work for interior decoration will be considered. Contact us and we can advise you.

Mosaics are images created with an assemblage of small pieces of colored glass, stone, or other materials Small pieces, normally roughly cubic, of stone or glass of different colors, known as tesserae, are used to create a pattern or picture.

Mosaics are a great way to turn an interior into something special. We provide them for table tops, and on walls for bathroom and kitchens, and even floor or ceiling installations are possible. The mosaics are made off site using indirect method, which means they can be made ready and then delivered for installation. We are able to produce a mosaic design from a photo, which allows you the possibility to provide us with a photo of anything you like, be it family portrait, something in nature, a artwork or something in the city. With the photo as a guide we can create a mosaic using a range of colored tiles. We are happy to provide you a quote for cost which is based on size of mosaic and colour types of tiles used. Provide us a photo ideally around 2mb in file size via email and any detail of the size of mosaic you are looking for including its intended placement. We can then provide you with a quote for the work. Email

Framing and mounting

We specialize in the provision of real gold gilt picture frames and specialist mounting for pictures. Mounting is the decoration boarder between the frame and the artwork. Some examples are shown below. Gilded frames and mounting work is done to size order. Please contact us to discuss your requirements.

Fine Furniture made to client order.

We are able to supply some of the finest furniture, hand crafted and made to customer order. We arrange the design and building on clients behalf. Contact us to discuss your requirements.

For International orders we will provide you, when requested, with delivery cost for items. We can ship products to most countries, and for large jobs can also arrange fitting where needed.

Contact or visit us to discuss your requirements.

for further information visit www.design-engagement.com