Strolling near the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, you will always be attracted by the glittering wooden trays, picture frames, and jewelry boxes in the windows. This is the famous Florentine Wood.
In the 1950s-1970s, this craft was exported in large quantities to the United States and Asia, and now they often appear in second-hand shops around the world. Many people mistakenly think they are just ordinary “old things”, but good gold leaf paintings have extremely high craftsmanship value.
⚜️ What is Florentine Style?
This style originated in the Renaissance, but experienced a revival in the mid-20th century. Its core features are:
- Wooden Base: Lightweight and easy to shape.
- Gesso (Plaster Base): Apply multiple layers of plaster on the wood and polish it smooth for creating relief effects.
- Gold Leaf: Use real gold leaf (usually 22K or 23K, also imitation gold leaf) applied by hand.
- Sgraffito (Sgraffito Technique): This is the most critical step. Craftsmen apply paint (usually creamy white, powder blue, or turquoise) on the gold leaf, and then when the paint is not completely dry, use tools to scrape off part of the paint to reveal the golden pattern underneath.
🔍 How to identify handmade vs. printed?
In flea markets, you will encounter a large number of cheap imitations. Here are the identification tips summarized by R:
1. Look at Luster
- Authentic: The luster of handmade gold leaf is deep, warm, and uneven. Turning it under the light, you will see subtle traces (overlap lines) at the seams of the gold leaf.
- Imitation: Sprayed gold is usually shiny, cheap looking, or presents a rigid “bronze color” without the ductility of metal.
2. Touch Texture
- Authentic: Touch the pattern on the surface with your fingertips. If you can clearly feel the uneven carving, that is the proof of the plaster base and sgraffito technique.
- Imitation: The surface is usually smooth, or the texture is very shallow, which is the result of machine embossing.
3. Look at the Back
True Florentine gold leaf paintings usually have a thin layer of gold paint brushed on the back, and often retain the original label. Look for stickers like Made in Italy or Florentia Hand Made.
💡 Collection Advice
- Color: “Florentine Blue” and “Creamy White” are the most classic and sought-after color schemes by collectors.
- Shape: In addition to picture frames, Nesting Tables and multi-layer jewelry boxes are excellent entry-level collections that combine practicality and decoration.
Next time you see this kind of “peeling paint” wooden box, don’t rush away, it might be a handmade artwork from Florence in the 60s.