Gilt Wood Girandole Mirrors, 19th Century French

• Giltwood - Giltwood is used to describe a gold finish on furniture and other decorative wooden items, whereby a thin sheet of gold metal, called gold leaf, is applied to the surface for decorative purposes.
  
  Unlike gilding, where the gold leaf is applied over a coating of gesso, with giltwood the gold leaf is applied direct to the surface, or over a coat of linseed oil gold leaf adhesive.
  
  Most gold-finished mirrors will be gilded, whereas furniture with gold highlights will have the gold applied through the giltwood method.
• Girandole -  A girandole is a type of candle holder or candelabra that features several branches or arms for holding candles. It is often used as a decorative piece and can range in design from simple and functional to highly ornate and elaborate. Girandoles can be made from a variety of materials, including metal, glass, ceramic and crystal, and can be found in a range of sizes, from tabletop models to large floor-standing pieces, as well as sidelights on wall mirrors and accessories in a clock set.
• Girandole - An ornate candle sconce, usually with several lights and combined with an ornate mirror to reflect the light, made to be attached to the wall. Sometimes also used to refer to a mirror with sconces.
  
  They reached their height of their popularity in England and France in the second half of the 18th century,

This item has been included into following indexes:

• mirrors, wall, period, age or style
  • French 663
  • with candle holders (girandole) 46