Gilding or applying gold leaf is an ancient tradition that remains largely unchanged in techniques. There are two different methods of applying gold: water gilding and oil gilding. Both methods are equally important and serve a specific purpose: to enhance the appearance of an object in its surroundings. Water gilding is used on interior objects, applied on gesso and bole and can be burnished to a mirror-like finish on completion. This method is mostly used for delicate objects like mirror and picture frames, furniture and ornate decorations. Oil gilding can be used for exterior contexts. The gold is applied to an oil-based gold size, which gives the gold adhesion. When prepared correctly, the gold can be applied using this method to almost any surface. Due to its weather resistance, oil gilding is an ideal surface finish for architectural metal detail like fence finials, weather vanes, garden sculpture and other exterior embellishments.
