A History of Inventions, Discoveries, and Origins, Volume 1 (of 2)

Chapter 14: COLD OR DRY GILDING.

Open in WeRead

Explore more books like this:

About This Book

The work surveys the origins and development of a wide array of inventions, discoveries, and practical arts from antiquity to modern times, combining historical research with technical description. Entries treat mechanical devices, chemical and metallurgical processes, household and agricultural implements, instruments, and curiosities, often explaining methods of manufacture, variations of practice, and contested claims of priority. The narrative acknowledges gaps and uncertainties in the record while offering illustrative examples, etymology, and cultural context, aiming to make specialized information accessible to both general readers and scholars.

COLD OR DRY GILDING.

Dry gilding, as it is called by some workmen, is a light method of gilding, by steeping linen rags in a solution of gold, then burning them; and with a piece of cloth dipped in salt water, rubbing the ashes over silver intended to be gilt. This method requires neither much labour nor much gold, and may be employed with advantage for carved work and ornaments. It is however not durable.

I am of opinion that this manner of gilding is a German invention, and that foreigners, at least the English, were first made acquainted with it about the end of the last century; for Robert Southwell describes it in the Philosophical Transactions for the year 1698, and says that it was known to very few goldsmiths in Germany.