Gilding is a branch of decorative art, and it is the application of gold or silver leaves on the surfaces, e.g. on the marble, granite or wood. This technique gives the objects decorative virtues, it gives the effect of richness and luxury. The characteristic of gilded layers is that they change their shade in the course of time, and it makes the surface more precious. It can be observed over a few or a dozen or so years, depending on the weather. The gold changes its color from light yellow to orange-yellow. Surfaces decorated in such a way can be cleaned with a cotton pad soaked in water. It cannot be cleaned with any chemicals, and it cannot be rubbed or scrubbed.
Even in the antiquity people knew the technique of hammering the gold into leaves thanks to its plasticity, and this form of the precious metal was used for adornment. Objects or sarcophaguses decorated in such a way were found in the eldest shrines of Egyptian pharaohs. During the following ages gilding has not lose its appeal, it has been only made more excellent.
It is still fashionable and very frequently used technique of the decoration especially of the interiors of the churches, the furniture, the paintings and the gravestones.
UWe only use the gold which is 23 ¾ or 24 karats for the gilding.
Unfortunately, the “twinkling” of the gold cannot be shown on photographs.
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