The Art of Gilding
By Bart Bjorneberg
Bernacki & Associates, Inc.
Gold leaf has been a revered surface
decoration for thousands of years. Its
color, reflectivity and permanence have
been associated with beauty and
richness in cultures and classes across the globe. There is something in the
reflected light from this elemental
material that triggers joy, awe, and
fascination in the human
consciousness as accessed through
the eye.
Applying gold leaf requires expertise as
well as an artist’s eye. It is a fragile,
expensive and devilishly fickle material
to work with. When applied with proper
precision, the results can create a
surface coating unmatched in its
perfection. Bernacki & Associates
Director of Conservation, Bart Bjornberg, is a Master Gilder with a
Masters of Science in Historic
Preservation and over 18 years
experience in the field. CDI asked Bart
to share his experiences with gold leaf.
What is the definition of gilding?
In its most basic definition, gilding can
be described as the covering of a base
or common material with a layer of
gold. This layer is achieved through the
application of gold leaf to an adhesive
which has been applied to the surface
to be gilded. It must be noted that there
are other, lesser materials used to
achieve a gilt surface. Composition leaf
which is composed of copper and tin
can be used. Just as well, bronze and
mica powders mixed in a binder can
make a ‘gold’ paint. These surfaces,
while capable of being very attractive
will never achieve the look of true gold
leaf. They will also tarnish and discolor
with age, never developing a patina.
The origins of gilding go back many years. Where was it used?
Almost all of the world’s cultures have
used gold. Tracing the chronology of gold’s
use in art and culture reveals its broad
appeal. While there are examples of gold
foil wrapped objects which date from as
early as 3000 BCE, the historical origins
of gilding using gold leaf starts later.
Egyptian tomb paintings and reliefs from
the 23rd century BCE are the first known
examples depicting gold being beaten into
leaf.
Why is the process of applying gilding
considered and “art”?
Gold pounded into leaf is a whisper thin
sheet of paradox; properly applied it can
transform a piece of ‘common’ material
into what looks like solid, polished gold.
It is ironically both delicate and strong.
A sheet of gold leaf is so fragile that
it is impossible to handle barehanded
without it tearing and collapsing,
practically into thin air. Gold leaf is so fine
that it is incapable of supporting its own
weight.
Despite the fragile nature of its form, the
material itself is so chemically and
metallurgically stable that it will not tarnish
nor deteriorate as long as the substrate it
lies on remains stable. That being said,
on an unstable surface simply rubbing a
soft, slightly moist cloth across an
unsealed gilded surface can actually
remove the gold.
You use two techniques in gold
leafing. What are they?
Yes, there are two primary techniques
used in gold leafing, oil gilding and water
gilding. Oil gilding can provide a beautiful
surface coating of matte gold. The process
is quicker and less labor intensive than
water gilding. In many situations it is as
This harp base shows oil gilding in the recessed
background and both matte and burnished (shiny) water
gilding on the surfaces.
durable as water gilding and uses the same gold. Oil gilding must be applied to a
completely sealed surface. First an oil size is applied to the surface. Sizes are now
made of many different materials but most commonly are a boiled linseed oil. The
applied oil is allowed to dry (oxidize) in a dust free environment until the proper
tackiness is achieved. Then the gold leaf is applied.
A basic definition of water gilding would be a porous substrate (typically wood),
covered with gesso (usually a mix of calcium carbonate and animal hide glue),
covered with bole (a mixture of clay and animal or fish based glues), and covered
with a layer of gold leaf held to the bole by organic animal or fish based glues. This
golden surface can then be left matte or burnished to a mirror-like sheen. Water
gilding is typically much more labor intensive than oil gilding but is also capable of
achieving a more refined surface and sheen. Consequently it has been reserved for
more expensive objects which are seen and experienced at more intimate distances.
On what objects do you typically apply gilding?
Gold leaf has been traditionally used on picture frames, mirror frames, furniture of all
shapes and types, art objects (especially sculptural), ceramics, and architectural
ornaments. Gilding can achieve the unmatched depth and reflection of a highly
burnished glow or wonderfully varied patination of roughly distressed surface
revealing the underlying clay. A gilded highlight can fully develop a sculptural detail
or enliven a flat surface, as gold can offset natural dark browns and reds as well a
brighter white, beige, or pastel shades.
Gold is truly a noble metal; adding importance to any object on which it is applied.
Its application is limited only by the imaginations of the designer and the conservator
preserving or newly designing a piece. For more information on gilding, please contact Bart at Bernacki & Associates, (312) 243-5669.
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