Difference between revisions of "Amalgam gilding"

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== Description ==
 
== Description ==
  
A gold gilding technique in which an amalgam of [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=gold gold] with [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=mercury mercury] is applied to a metal, such as [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=copper copper] or [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=silver silver], then the metal is heated to flash volatilize the mercury and deposit a thin layer of gold. Amalgam gilding, or fire gilding, has been used since at least 300 CE in China. In most regions, it was replaced in the mid-19th century by electrogilding.
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A gold gilding technique in which an amalgam of [[gold|gold]] with [[mercury|mercury]] is applied to a metal, such as [[copper|copper]] or [[silver|silver]], then the metal is heated to flash volatilize the mercury and deposit a thin layer of gold. Amalgam gilding, or fire gilding, has been used since at least 300 CE in China. In most regions, it was replaced in the mid-19th century by electrogilding.
  
 
== Synonyms and Related Terms ==
 
== Synonyms and Related Terms ==
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fire gilding; mercury gilding; dorure à l'amalgame (Fr.); Feuervergoldung (Deut.); dorado a la amalgama (Esp.); vuurvergulden (Ned.); amalgama dourada (Port.)
 
fire gilding; mercury gilding; dorure à l'amalgame (Fr.); Feuervergoldung (Deut.); dorado a la amalgama (Esp.); vuurvergulden (Ned.); amalgama dourada (Port.)
  
== Authority ==
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==Resources and Citations==
  
 
* David C. Scott, ''Metallography and Microstructure of Ancient and Historic Metals'', The Getty Conservation Institute, Los Angeles, 1991
 
* David C. Scott, ''Metallography and Microstructure of Ancient and Historic Metals'', The Getty Conservation Institute, Los Angeles, 1991

Latest revision as of 11:55, 26 April 2022

Description

A gold gilding technique in which an amalgam of Gold with Mercury is applied to a metal, such as Copper or Silver, then the metal is heated to flash volatilize the mercury and deposit a thin layer of gold. Amalgam gilding, or fire gilding, has been used since at least 300 CE in China. In most regions, it was replaced in the mid-19th century by electrogilding.

Synonyms and Related Terms

fire gilding; mercury gilding; dorure à l'amalgame (Fr.); Feuervergoldung (Deut.); dorado a la amalgama (Esp.); vuurvergulden (Ned.); amalgama dourada (Port.)

Resources and Citations

  • David C. Scott, Metallography and Microstructure of Ancient and Historic Metals, The Getty Conservation Institute, Los Angeles, 1991
  • Dictionary of Building Preservation, Ward Bucher, ed., John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York City, 1996
  • George Savage, Art and Antique Restorer's Handbook, Rockliff Publishing Corp, London, 1954