Front Door Fanlight

[Cardiffbloke]

Does anyone know anyone who makes or restores Victorian Style, Front Door Glass Fanlights? We have one with 'Italian Cast' glass which is cracked and dangerous. Sadly, this type of glass is almost impossible to replace now. So... we have decided to replace it with a plain (antique shimmery style) piece of glass with a large gilded house number or our House's name (gilded) or both. Trouble is, no-one in Cardiff does it anymore since the old guy that did went off to gild celestial buildings!... Any ideas?
Thanks Howard

 

[Penners]

When you say gilded - do you want it done in actual gold leaf?

If not, and if gold paint would do, then surely any signwriter would do the job.

 

[paulb33]

Try the specialist glass shop on Cowbridge Road East. I believe they do all sorts of restoration stuff: "old" glass, leaded lights, stained glass etc.
Paul (Penarth)

 

[Cardiffbloke]

Thanks Paul, but have already spoken to Dave at Ashdown's and he does not do the gold leaf at the moment. He relied on the old guy that has now passed on.
as for gilding or painting, well im not sure what is on the old ones we see so regularly around Cardiff. If someone tells me it is paint then i'll get one painted but it looks too bright to be paint?? I dont know, does anyone know?

 

[Lime]

My grandfather used to have his house number (on glass above the front door) renewed every so often many years ago because my grandmother would clean the window every day.

It was gold leaf.

 

[Moo]

From what you say in your first post I imagine that the original glass is still in situ.
Might there be a way of saving it - possibly by sandwiching it between two sheets of plain glass?

 

[Cardiffbloke]

From what you say in your first post I imagine that the original glass is still in situ.
Might there be a way of saving it - possibly by sandwiching it between two sheets of plain glass?

Sadly no, there is not enough space to do it. i will utilise the off cut though for sure... SO!! It is Gold leaf then..... Does anyone know how they do it.....is the number etched on first to give the leaf something to anchor to? Help!!

 

[Nemesis]

As far as I am aware gold leaf is applied using some sort of gum or size.

Have you tried asking SPAB if they know of anyone who can carry this out?

You might find someone here either:

http://www.icon.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=24&Itemid=

If you want to DIY then there are suppliers:

http://www.habberleymeadows.co.uk/

http://www.scribblers.co.uk/acatalog/Gilding.html?gclid=COnXtNO1uooCFSOUEAodjRicOw

There is information here about gilding on glass:

http://www.bozzle.com/id_Gilding.html

 

[skier-hughes]

Do you have any craft places that do their own glass blowing?
Quite a few use gold leaf, I had a great chat with a lady at Ironbridge as she was making gifty items.

 

[Cardiffbloke]

As far as I am aware gold leaf is applied using some sort of gum or size.

Have you tried asking SPAB if they know of anyone who can carry this out?

You might find someone here either:

http://www.icon.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=24&Itemid=

If you want to DIY then there are suppliers:

http://www.habberleymeadows.co.uk/

http://www.scribblers.co.uk/acatalog/Gilding.html?gclid=COnXtNO1uooCFSOUEAodjRicOw

There is information here about gilding on glass:

http://www.bozzle.com/id_Gilding.html

]

Thanks Penners, i sense a long and rocky road...lol...

 

[Nemesis]

I've never seen gold paint which is as bright as leaf. It tends to be much more dull. Gold as used on old shopfront glass was leaf I think.

However, if you want to check for authenticity give Charles Brooking a ring at the Brooking Collection.

Otherwise, if it's just something quick and easy, then paint may well do the job.

 

[Penners]

You might find this interesting.

 

[Cardiffbloke]

You might find this interesting.

thanks Penners, interesting! i would give it a go myself if the leaf was'nt so expensive, plus the article didnt specify how to do it on glass.... I have a contact though from the Conservators website, so watch this space.....

 

[Nemesis]

Er - the article I put a link to had info on glass ... which is why I put it there...

 

[arl]

im sure gold leaf isnt that expensive. my uncle used to bind books and he always let us play with the gold leaf scraps when we were kids. if i remember correctly its green when you hold it up to the light.
have you tried ebay?

 

[Cardiffbloke]

Er - the article I put a link to had info on glass ... which is why I put it there...

sorry Nemesis, my mistake..... a really interesting article, i'm tempted to 'give it a go' myself.... thanks.

 

[Nemesis]

Go on go on go on...