Fire gilding

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. 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; amalgam gilding; mercury gilding; dorure au feu (Fr.); Feuervergoldung (Deut.); vuurvergulden (Ned.)

Additional Information

P.T.Craddock, "Gilding", The Dictionary of Art Grove's Dictionaries, New York, 1996.

Authority

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

• The Dictionary of Art, The Dictionary of Art, Grove's Dictionaries Inc., New York, 1996 Comment: Craddock 'Gilding'

• The Dictionary of Art, The Dictionary of Art, Grove's Dictionaries Inc., New York, 1996 Comment: P.T. Craddock 'Gilding'