Tabernacle Frame With Arched 22 kt Sgraffito Liner, Hand Gilt 22 kt Gold Mirror

After 25 years working in the museum and fine arts world, my work can be found in museum collections and private holdings around the world. I have specialized in crafting frames, tabernacles and altarpieces deeply influenced by the Italian Renaissance, and have had the honor of framing works by masters such as Botticelli, Titian, and Van Gogh, to name a few. Through Troy M Stafford Designs, I have distilled decades of experience into a body of work that brings old-world techniques and materials into dialogue with contemporary design. These modern interpretations of frames, personal altars and looking glasses are created to offer a space for pause and contemplation—quiet sanctuaries within our often hectic lives. A moment for breath. A place for reflection. Each piece is meticulously handcrafted using traditional methods and materials. Paints are made from scratch using traditional rabbit skin glue and natural pigments to ensure depth and authenticity. Genuine gold leaf is applied using the ancient water gilding method, where individual sheets of gold are floated on water and bonded to the surface. Once dried to the perfect moisture level—a delicate process guided by humidity and time—the gold is polished with agate stones to a brilliant, mirror-like sheen. From this point, the alchemy of aging and distressing begins, revealing the subtle magic these timeless methods make possible.