Traditional Glass Gilding at McGarvey’s Annapolis

In Annapolis, Maryland, you can see traditional glass gilding in McGarvey’s Saloon. We created the hand-rendered gold leaf logo on the window glass, and it has stayed in good condition for more than 30 years. Only a few scratches show. McGarvey’s is a busy bar, so the gilding has to hold up to daily wear.

How We Gild the Glass

At our shop in Edgewater, Maryland, we lay the gold leaf by hand, one layer at a time. Next, we add a backing paint behind the leaf. This paint protects the gold from accidental damage. Then we clear away any excess leaf with a soft brush. Finally, Brendon Brandon painted the thin green outline around the design by hand. The outline sharpens the edges and makes the logo easy to read from the street.

Gold Leaf on Glass for Your Storefront

If you want to improve the look of your storefront, gold leaf on glass is a classic option. Traditional gilding is durable, and it looks as good from inside as it does from outside. In addition, it suits restaurants, bars, shops, and offices. Send us your logo or a sketch, and we will talk through the layout and the colors.

About McGarvey’s

McGarvey’s Saloon & Oyster Bar sits in the heart of Annapolis and serves seafood and beer. You can learn more about it on the official McGarvey’s website.

About Verre Églomisé

Verre églomisé is the art of decorating the back of a piece of glass with gold leaf. The leaf creates a reflective, mirror-like surface when viewed from the front. The name honors Jean-Baptiste Glomy, an 18th-century French art dealer and decorator who helped revive the technique for glass picture frames. Over time, the term came to cover many kinds of painted and gilded glass.

Today, gilders use the same approach for window signs, advertising on glass, and decorative panels. A design can be painted on the reverse of the glass before gilding, or engraved into the gilded layer. For a detailed history, read the Wikipedia article on verre églomisé.