In a corner of the National Palaces Administration in Ottoman-era Dolmabahçe Palace in Istanbul, a group of men and women work to restore a number of different objects that date back to the Ottoman empire, in their workshop they meticulously work to piece back together various different artefacts

The workshop contains More than 100 different objects, from mirrors to frames, from screens to sofas, all decorated with 23ct gold leaf, which was commonplace at the height of the empire. Maintaining the authenticity of the objects is important so they use 23ct gold leaf like the original goldsmiths would have used for the objects. Also, as in the original pieces, they use water-based and oil-based gold sizes

Gold leaf was very popular in the 19th century particularly in Ottoman palaces though the use of gold leaf dates to the rise of the empire itself including during and after the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent in the 16th century. Gold leaf was used everywhere from everyday objects like tools to weapons.

 

This Luxury Marble Tiled Bathroom has been fitted with a number of different features that have been gilded with 23ct Gold leaf including the Towel rails , Mirror , Tapware , wall cabinet features  and the Shower fittings in order to produce a luxurious finish.

 

    

Custom made Ducatti Motorcycle, which has had it’s body work gilded using 24ct Gold Leaf that has been applied by hand in order to create an attractive finish.

 

Rob has over 35 years industry experience since graduating from Leeds Polytechnic in 1976. 
He possesses a wealth of practical experience, having designed and installed displays for clients such as English Heritage, the RNLI and the National Trust and has created signage for Bettys Tea Shops, Taylors Tea and L’Occitane. Rob is a museum technician and art handler, a signwriter specialising in gilding and gold leaf and is a graphic designer, with a passion for life drawing.

 

Rob has recently completed a beginner’s workshop at Beningbrough Hall near York which is an offshoot of the National Portrait Gallery. The workshop was an introduction to gilding and its practical application on picture frames. 

 

At the work shop the students gilded a small plaster frame with acrylic size and dutch metal, they were then given a short tour of the house itself to look at frames and the gilded decoration. They were then introduced to real loose gold leaf. At the end of the workshop each of the students gets to take a gilded piece home with them.

 

Rob has also recently completed a Demonstration at The open Studios which was to show what he does and to let people watch him demonstrate gilding techniques and to have a go at the techniques  themselves .At both of the events Rob only used acrylic size because of health and safety issues, although he showed and explained both oil sizes and water gilding.

 

Rob Also works part-time as an arts technician at York St John University and now runs regular workshops at York St John University.