How did the gesso mirror get its name?
The frames on the gesso mirror are large and ornate and most gesso mirror antiques today come from the Victorian era. These frames add a unique touch to any decor. The name “gesso” means “chalk,” one of the key ingredients of gesso, a carved or molded relief frame.
What kind of glue does a gesso mirror use?
The gesso was the glue that held the gilding to the mirror. The original gesso bonded closely to the wood and in order to remove it, you had to destroy some of the base. Its properties allowed the gilder to burnish the gilding. Examine the mirror closely and have it appraised. Works done before the Art Nouveau period are far more valuable.
What kind of gesso do frame makers use?
Composition gesso from rabbit skin glue, linseed oil, whitening and rosin allowed the frame makers to press the gesso into molds to create ornamentation. As it dried, they sometimes molded the shape from the drying gesso, used a stamp for the patterns, pressed it into molds as noted already or carved out the gesso for the desired effect.
What kind of mirror does my grandma have?
Grandma’s mirrors tend to date to the Art Nouveau period. Wait before you paint over that mirror frame. If you suspect the mirror has an early production date but paint over the frame, you’re likely to dramatically reduce the value.
The frames on the gesso mirror are large and ornate and most gesso mirror antiques today come from the Victorian era. These frames add a unique touch to any decor. The name “gesso” means “chalk,” one of the key ingredients of gesso, a carved or molded relief frame.
The gesso was the glue that held the gilding to the mirror. The original gesso bonded closely to the wood and in order to remove it, you had to destroy some of the base. Its properties allowed the gilder to burnish the gilding. Examine the mirror closely and have it appraised. Works done before the Art Nouveau period are far more valuable.
Grandma’s mirrors tend to date to the Art Nouveau period. Wait before you paint over that mirror frame. If you suspect the mirror has an early production date but paint over the frame, you’re likely to dramatically reduce the value.
Composition gesso from rabbit skin glue, linseed oil, whitening and rosin allowed the frame makers to press the gesso into molds to create ornamentation. As it dried, they sometimes molded the shape from the drying gesso, used a stamp for the patterns, pressed it into molds as noted already or carved out the gesso for the desired effect.
Where was gesso most popular in ancient Egypt?
Follow the history of gesso and you’ll find that it was extremely popular in ancient times to build reliefs of various objects. It’s found in the tombs of ancient Egypt as paintings on the panels and sarcophagus, but probably most identified with the country of Italy.
