Gilding

(gild'ing.) [From A.S. gild an, to coat with gold-leaf.] The art of covering anything with gold, either in a foliated or liquid state. There are three distinct methods in general practice: namely, wash or water G., in which the gold is spread, whilst reduced to a fluid state,by solution in mercury; leaf G., either burnished or in oil, performed by cementing thin leaves of gold upon the work, either with size or by oil; and japanner's G., in which gold dust or powder is used instead of leaves. When gold is to be applied to anything that is of metal, the surface is previously covered with some gluey substance or size; and when it is to be exposed to the effects of the weather, a composition of drying-oil and ochre is used in place of the water-size. In the proce of G. metals, the surface is first cleansed, and then the leaves applied, which, by means of burnishing, and a certain degree of heat, are made to adhere in the manner desired. Gold is applied to gla , porcelain, and other vitrified substances, the surfaces of which, being very smooth, are capable of perfect contact with the gold leaves. Of late years, nearly all gilding is accomplished by an electrotype proce . [s. 408]