Plaster finishing (gilding / ageing)
Surface finishes that turn plain plaster into aged, gilded or patinated work.
- Shanghai Xionglan Culture Communication Co., Ltd. (brand: Xionglan Art)
- Shanghai-based workshop · delivery in 67 Chinese cities
- 10 capability groups / 102 individual techniques · design, fabrication and installation in-house
- Phone +86 156 0163 6249 · Mon–Sun 09:00–18:00 (CST)
The same casting can read as new, antique, gilded or weathered depending on the finish. We build finishes in layers - base colour, glaze, metallic leaf, wax - so later repairs match rather than stand out.
Commissioned work in plaster finishing (gilding / ageing) normally runs from 6 to 30 m², with 3–8 working days in production from approved drawings. The reference range for this technique is CNY 500–1600 per m², quoted itemised. It sits within our Gypsum Relief & Decorative Plaster capability, alongside 7 related techniques, and the 4-point deliverable below is what a commission includes as standard.
When plaster finishing (gilding / ageing) is the right answer - and when it is not
Gypsum plaster finishing is specified where the wall itself is the design - seamless, slightly varied, and finished by hand rather than coated with a flat colour. It suits interiors that want a calm, tactile surface, and it is a good answer for walls that are hard to detail with joints or panels. It is not appropriate in wet areas or exteriors, and it will not hide a badly built wall; it tends to show one up.
How the work is actually carried out
The base coat is applied and brought to a consistent thickness, because gypsum finish is only as flat as what sits underneath. The finishing coat is worked while it is live, with the trowel pressure and timing controlling whether the result ends up satin, matt or lightly varied. Colour is either mixed into the finish or applied as a limewash that is cut back, and the two produce quite different characters. The wall is protected during the rest of the build, because a plaster finish takes a mark from a passing trolley that a painted wall shrugs off.
Typical applications
Typical specifications
| Application | Workshop, or on site after installation |
|---|---|
| Leaf | Genuine gold, imitation gold, silver and copper leaf |
| Lead time | 2-4 weeks for a room-scale scheme |
| Maintenance | Recorded recipes and sample boards kept on file |
| Capability | Gypsum Relief & Decorative Plaster |
| Reference range | CNY 500–1600 per m² |
| Techniques in this capability | 8 |
| Coverage | Shanghai base, nationwide delivery, overseas projects on request |
Reference price bands for Plaster finishing (gilding / ageing)
Indicative only, based on the scope normally quoted for plaster finishing (gilding / ageing). A firm price follows a site survey and an itemised quotation split into material, labour, finishing, packing and freight.
| Scope | Typical area | Reference total | Unit rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small area | 6–15 m² | CNY 3,000 – CNY 24,000 | approx. CNY 1600/m² |
| Standard area | 15–36 m² | CNY 7,500 – CNY 57,600 | approx. CNY 1050/m² |
| Large area | 36 m² and above | CNY 18,000+ | approx. CNY 500/m² |
Build tiers for plaster finishing (gilding / ageing)
Plaster finishing (gilding / ageing) is not one product at one size: the table below is the same scope ladder we quote on, so you can see where your project sits before asking for a price.
| Build tier | Typical area | Production days | What changes at this tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | 6–30 m² | 3–8 | Up to 30 m², one substrate and one access setup, 3–8 days in the workshop. |
| Tier 2 | 6–30 m² | 3–8 | 6–30 m² across two or more faces, 3–8 days, substrate build-up agreed per location. |
| Tier 3 | 6–30 m² | 3–8 | 6–30 m² across two or more faces, 3–8 days, substrate build-up agreed per location. |
| Tier 4 | 6–30 m² | 3–8 | 6–30 m² across two or more faces, 3–8 days, substrate build-up agreed per location. |
| Tier 5 | 6–30 m² | 3–8 | 6–30 m² across two or more faces, 3–8 days, substrate build-up agreed per location. |
| Tier 6 | 6–30 m² | 3–8 | 6 m² and above, multiple substrate types and phased access, 3–8 days with a join and numbering plan. |
What we deliver
- Section drawings and 1:1 detail confirmation before mould-making
- Moulds, casting, curing and finishing in our own workshop
- Cornices, columns, arches, wall panelling, ceiling domes and coves
- Gilding, ageing and painted finishes matched to your scheme
Faults we see most often in plaster finishing (gilding / ageing)
Each of these is a field failure rather than a workshop one, and each is cheaper to prevent at enquiry stage than to correct after installation.
- Applying the finish over an uneven base coat, so the wall reads as gently wavy under grazing light.
- Leaving the site open to other trades without protection, which produces scuffs that cannot be spot-repaired invisibly.
- Deciding the sheen after the fact; it is set during trowelling and cannot be changed later.
What to settle before an overseas project starts
| Base wall condition | Send photographs and note whether the wall is blockwork, plasterboard or existing plaster, and whether it is flat. |
|---|---|
| Finish and sheen | Tell us whether you want matt, satin or varied, and whether the colour is in the mix or washed over the top. The two look quite different. |
| Protection and programme | A plaster finish needs to be last or protected. Tell us what trades follow so we can plan the sequencing honestly. |
Working with us from overseas
Enquiry to installation, one point of contact. Export packing, shipping, commercial terms and quality control →
Design intent and what drives the cost
| Technique | Plaster finishing (gilding / ageing) |
|---|---|
| Positioning | Surface finishes that turn plain plaster into aged, gilded or patinated work. |
| Floor area normally quoted | 6–30 m² per commission |
| Typical production window | 3–8 working days from approved drawings |
| Main cost drivers | Area and repetition; substrate preparation; detail and modelling time; surface finish; access and working hours |
| What we quote separately | Material, labour, finishing, packing, freight and site measures - each as its own line |
Representative work
Gypsum Relief & Decorative Plaster projects photographed on completion.
Gypsum Relief & Decorative Plaster — French-style plasterwork
Gypsum Relief & Decorative Plaster — project photograph
Gypsum Relief & Decorative Plaster — GRG sculpted ceiling
Gypsum Relief & Decorative Plaster — Ceiling dome & coveCommon questions
Can you match a finish applied years ago?
Is gilding suitable in busy public areas?
Is gypsum relief suitable for bathrooms or exteriors?
Discuss plaster finishing (gilding / ageing)
Send photographs, drawings or a 3D file with approximate dimensions. You will get a technique recommendation, a reference price band and a production schedule.