19th Century French Giltwood Bergere Chairs

• 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.
• Damask - Damask is a type of fabric that is characterized by its glossy finish, smooth texture, and intricate designs. The fabric is typically made from a combination of silk and other natural fibers, such as cotton or linen, and is often used to make clothing, upholstery, and other decorative items.
  
  The origins of damask fabric can be traced back to ancient Rome and the Byzantine Empire, where it was used to make clothing and other textiles.
  
  The fabric is made by weaving the fabric in such a way that the design is created by the different reflectivity of the warp and weft threads, rather than by the use of dyed threads. The designs are often floral or geometric patterns and can be very intricate. The effect is a reversible fabric, with a glossy pattern on one side and a matte pattern on the other.

This item has been included into following indexes:

• chairs, singles / pairs / threes, style or period
  • bergères (armchairs) 166
  • French 949