Gilding

MFA Acc. #: 22.395

Description

A thin layer of gold or other metal applied as a decorative surface finish. The metal may be applied as a thin leaf, by electroplating, or as a thin paint layer. Gilding is usedon paintings, furniture, frames, sculptures, and book edges.

See also gilding cold gilding, gilding fire gilding, gilding oil gilding, gilding water gilding, gilt silver gilt, and ormolu.

MFA Acc. #: 36.640

Synonyms and Related Terms

gilt; gilded;

Additional Images

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  MFA Acc. #: 27.462

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  MFA Acc. #: 27.522

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  MFA Acc. #: 33.102

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  MFA Acc. #: 50.3608

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  MFA Acc. #: 67.5

Authority

• Ralph Mayer, Ralph Mayer, A Dictionary of Art Terms and Techniques, Harper and Row Publishers, New York, 1969 (also 1945 printing)

• Dictionary of Building Preservation, Ward Bucher, ed., John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York City, 1996

• Website address 1, Website address 1 Comment: AMOL reCollections Glossary - http://amol.org.au/recollections/7/g/htm

• Janet Burnett Grossman, Janet Burnett Grossman, Looking at Greek and Roman Sculpture in Stone, J. Paul Getty Trust, Los Angeles, 2003