Viennese Craftsmanship - the tradition of the gilders.
A Shining Tradition Lives On
Vienna is world-renowned for its imperial past, Baroque architecture, and elaborately decorated buildings. But behind the visible splendor lies a hidden craft: the art of gilding. For centuries, Vienna’s gilders have adorned altars, picture frames, furniture, sculptures, and entire interiors with wafer-thin gold leaf—making not only surfaces but entire eras shine.
What Does a Gilder Actually Do?
Gilders apply ultra-thin gold leaf or metal foil to wood, plaster, or metal. Particularly sought after is the technique of water and oil gilding, where gold is worked into the finest ornaments, reliefs, or moldings. This requires not only precision, but also a deep understanding of historical materials and styles. Every movement demands years of experience—and a touch of magic.
The Golden Age: Baroque and Rococo
Vienna’s gilding tradition reached its height in the 17th and 18th centuries during the Baroque and Rococo periods. Gold symbolized divine order, power, and magnificence, and was essential in churches, palaces, and ceremonial halls. Whether at the Hofburg, Schönbrunn, or Belvedere—where tourists marvel today, gilders once worked with utmost skill.
Golden Frames for the Bourgeois Arts
In the 19th century, the golden craft increasingly found its way into private salons. Picture frames became must-haves in bourgeois homes. Viennese frame makers developed a distinctive style—sometimes playful, sometimes refined—strongly influenced by the Viennese Art Nouveau.
Endangered and Rediscovered
Like many traditional crafts, gilding suffered under industrialization. Mass-produced goods replaced exquisite handcrafted pieces. Many workshops closed—only a few family-run businesses survived. In recent years, however, the craft has experienced a renaissance. Today, gilding in Austria is recognized as UNESCO intangible cultural heritage.
Today’s Masters
Only a handful of passionate workshops in Vienna continue the tradition, including:
- Atelier Gollob in the 7th district
- Rahmenwerkstatt Pfeffer near the Naschmarkt
- Master gilder Hermann Hofer, known for restoring the Burgtheater and St. Stephen’s Cathedral
Gilding in the Modern City: The Golden Sphere of Spittelau
A truly unique example of modern gilding in Vienna is found not in a palace or museum, but atop an industrial chimney: the golden sphere of the Spittelau waste incineration plant.
This striking sphere was part of the artistic redesign by Friedensreich Hundertwasser. It is covered with a technique using gilded enamel surfaces or gilded sheet metal with an enamel protective coating. The result: a weather-resistant, highly reflective surface visible far beyond the city.
Technically, the sphere consists of a lightweight metal structure covered with panels. These were finished with gold leaf or gold pigments on enamel carriers, then sealed with lacquer or glaze—a perfect combination of art, technique, and durability.
For Hundertwasser, gold symbolized energy, the sun, and human dignity. Even a waste facility should radiate beauty. The golden sphere is more than decorative—it’s an urban landmark and a reinterpretation of contemporary gilding.
More Than Decoration: A Cultural Heritage
Gilding is not just ornamentation—it’s a golden narrative, connecting art, craftsmanship, and identity. Whether in a restored palace, the frame of a Klimt painting, or on the tower of Spittelau: gilders’ traces lead straight into the heart of Vienna’s cultural heritage.
Brilliantly preserved – preciously maintained. That is the spirit of those in Vienna who, with patience, skill, and a touch of magic, continue to make the world shine a little brighter.
