Gilt leather
- • Altar frontal (antependium),
- • cushions, tablecloth,
- • upholstery, screens,
- • tapestries and wall-hangings
Unless very much in favor during the 16th and the 18th century, gilt leather was rarely studied and considered until now.
Expertise
The way it was made is more complicated than it looks. The leather is not only painted, it is also covered with silver. Only a specialist can estimate and explain the degradation encountered. The last and most improved conservation techniques should be applied.
Techniques
When dirt, loose seams, tears and other deformations are present, it is possible to act with reversible and respectful methods. Innovating hanging spring systems are also proposed to re-install the decors. Transportation, removal and reinstallation are included in the offers.
Documentation
Objects are systematically photographed before, during and after conservation. Each object is returned with a complete documentation explaining in detail the techniques employed and the materials used.
The gilt leather tapestry depicting “The Triumph of David” is on display in Gallery G13 at the Louvre Abu Dhabi.
18/02/2026
Since Wednesday, February 18, 2026, the gilt leather tapestry depicting *The Triumph of David* has been open to the public.
You can view this exceptional piece in Gallery G13 at the Louvre Abu Dhabi.
2CRC and its entire team are pleased to have contributed their expertise to its restoration, thereby allowing a wide audience to appreciate this unique and priceless work of art.
A restored historic setting for the Louvre Abu Dhabi
10/12/2025
2,800 hours of work, 5 restorers, 52 figures including 1 child, 2 camels, 1 goat, 2 elephants, 5 horses, 4,000 sheets of silver leaf, 31 rolls, dozens of samples, thousands of pieces of scientific data collected—but above all, one project: that of a professional career!
When, in 2007, I removed this polychrome gilded leather wall covering from a salon at the Hôtel Lambert on Île Saint-Louis in Paris, I dreamed—though I dared not believe it—of one day having the opportunity to restore and study it. My lucky star heard me.
December 2025: my team and I have just completed its restoration as part of the Louvre Abu Dhabi museum. The ideal setting to carry out such a large-scale project involving multiple analyses.
This work, measuring 17 meters in length and 3.40 meters in height, will soon be installed in the museum’s galleries for permanent display.
I look forward to seeing it accessible to the public.
As for the research, we will continue it in 2026.
Stay tuned!
This project benefited from effective collaboration with the scientific, curatorial, and technical teams at the LAD. We would like to thank them here.
Specialized conservators-restorers, 2CRC: Céline Bonnot-Diconne, Marie Heran, Julie Tyrlik, Ingrid Léautey, and Caroline Snyers.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
Château de Maintenon Salle à Manger - 2022 à 2023
01/01/2023
Palais Lascaris à Nice - 2022
01/01/2022
Château de Fontaineblau - 2022
01/01/2022
Musée de la Renaissance à Ecouen - 2002 - 2021
01/01/2021
Château de Bournel à Cubry - 2021
01/01/2021
Musée Crozatier (Le-Puy-en-Velay) - 2021
01/01/2021
Château de Droué - 2019 à 2020
01/01/2020
Collection Morel - 2020
01/01/2020
Musée du Vieil Aix (Aix-en-Provence) - 2018
01/01/2018
Château de Montlaur - 2018
01/01/2018
Château de Gaillefontaine - 2018
01/01/2018
Château de Fonscolombe (Le-Puy-Sainte-Réparade) - 2017
01/01/2017
Château de Fonscolombe (Le Puy-Sainte-Réparade) - 2017
01/01/2017
Flocked Leather Wall Hangings from the « Musée Estienne de Saint Jean » (Musée du Vieil Aix) in Aix-en-Provence - 2016
22/06/2016
A decor of about 74 sqm has been restored in our workshop and replaced in a new exhibition room of the museum (official opening on the 14th of december 2016 (www.aixenprovence.fr). These hangings are old and very original: it is a rare case of flocked leather preserved in France. Their size and state of conservation are exceptional. Removed from the walls in April 2010, transported at the 2CRC and restored in spring 2011, they were refastened in April 2016 after validation of a complex pattern layout and a new suspended snap mode.
Dating: late 17th century. France ? Italy ?
Gilt Leather Panel from the castle of Villeneuve- Lembron (63) - 2016
22/06/2016
This is a small panel made up of various elements originating from polychrome gilt leather wall-hangings. In the midst of foliage, a putto leans on a decorated vase, being alternately to the left or right of it. The meeting of two panels normally allows to show a whole vase. Unfortunately an old restoration severely damaged the decor by altering the reading of the patterns. We therefore decided to de-restore completely the panel. Then we reproduced the missing seams and set the decor with a new power system so that it can be again exhibited.
This decoration is the only known of its kind in France.
Dating : second half of the 18th century. Most likely French production of the Rhone Valley.
Musée de la Renaissance à Ecouen - 2016
01/01/2016
Château d'Hautefort - 2016
01/01/2016
Gilt Leather Altar Frontal from the Jacobins Monastery in Toulouse (South west of France) - 2015
20/03/2015
An altar frontal made of gilt leather has been restored in our workshop. It is normally on exhibition in the church of the Jacobins monastery in the centre of Toulouse. The curator plans to replace it in the rosary chapel, on the main altar. Badly restored in the past, it had to be removed from a plywood board where it was glued and constrained. The leather was reshaped, consolidated, retouched and remounted on a new light hanging system, then framed and protected with an organic glass.
Dating : mid 18th century, Italy.
Gilt Leather Tapestry from the castle of L’Isle (Switzerland)
30/01/2015
A mural decor made of gilt leather has been restored in our workshop. Originally conserved in the castle of L’Isle in Switzerland, it is soon to be exhibited in the Grand Salon. The leather surfaces have been softly cleaned, reshaped, reassembled and retouched. A new hanging system has been elaborated using springs to respect the leather moves.
Dating : end of the 17th century, Netherland.
Château Borély à Marseille - 2013
01/01/2013
Château de Saint-Chaptes - 2011
01/01/2011
Maison Mantin à Moulins - 2007 à 2009
01/01/2009
Château de Fontainebleau - 2008
01/01/2008
Collection Rothschild - 2007
01/01/2007
Musée des Arts Décoratifs à Paris - 2005
01/01/2005
Château de Maintenon Antichambre - 2005
01/01/2005
