Here is a period 18th century Italian gilt mirror with excellent carving including a pair of entwined dolphins and a great lions head. Many of the elements had become detached from the frame and a large section of floral carving at the top crest was missing entirely. The missing elements were recarved in mahogany followed by coating in layers of gesso and liquid clay (bole) in the traditional water gilding technique. Leaves of ultra thin 22k gold leaf are then applied on top and burnished to a high sheen. All the newly gilded surfaces were toned to match the old patina.