Vermeil, Silver Gilt, Gold Gilding, etc.

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Vermeil, Silver Gilt, Gold Gilding, etc.

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Author	Topic: Vermeil, Silver Gilt, Gold Gilding, etc.
Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 Registered: Apr 93	posted 10-10-2018 01:55 PM Vermeil, Silver Gilt, Gold Gilding is a technique for creating a layer of gold on a metal object. There are many different methods for gilding. Some are additive (gold applied) and others are depletion (gold revealed) gilding. Terms/methods/processes: Fire Gilding, Mercury Gilding, Wash gilding, Electro plating, mechanical gilding, gold leaf or powder, hammering on gold foil or gold leaf, Cold gilding, Wet gilding and ?. I expect I have left some out and included methods which are not common to metalsmithing. When looking at flatware, I think I can recognize the visual difference between Mercury Gilding and electroplate gold. But I really don't know. My preference is the technique found on older silver; which was most likely Mercury Gilding. Perhaps our silversmith members could expand our knowledge on both past and present day gilding. Also perhaps those of you with good comparative examples in your collection would share some side by side photographic examples. The forums has lot of threads about gilding. When time permits, I will add links to those threads/posts. IP: Logged
vathek Posts: 966 Registered: Jun 99	posted 10-11-2018 08:16 AM I do know that mercury gilding was a toxic process. IP: Logged
asheland Posts: 935 Registered: Nov 2003	posted 10-11-2018 10:58 AM An interesting observation (unfortunately I have no pictures of this) about 5 years ago, I got a small group from an old collection, splendid stuff! But anyway, the two side by side, a Gorham Saxon Stag shell bowl spoon, gilt bowl and a Duhme bull (also coin) pierced ladle also gilt bowl. Side by side, the Gorham was really yellow, but the Duhme piece had a VERY reddish, rose gold look. Very interesting to see side by side. Alone I probably wouldn't have noticed, but they came from the same lot so they were together. Anyone else ever notice a variation like this? IP: Logged
asheland Posts: 935 Registered: Nov 2003	posted 10-11-2018 11:01 AM If anyone is interested, the next time they're out, I can shoot a picture. IP: Logged
Polly Posts: 1970 Registered: Nov 2004	posted 10-11-2018 12:37 PM Different alloys of gold create different colors, which the craftspeople of the time took advantage of. I believe you could even order your silver with different tints of gilding. There was a discussion of this on a thread about my Parcel gilded ice cream set, which are gilded in three different colors of gold: yellow, greenish, and rose. I'll see if I can find the thread. Rob (agleopar) has some experience of this as a working silversmith. Tarnish can also affect the apparent color of the gilding. IP: Logged
Polly Posts: 1970 Registered: Nov 2004	posted 10-11-2018 12:47 PM Here's the thread about the ice cream spoons. I misremembered--it's two different colors of gilding, not three. Parcel gilded ice cream set And asheland, OF COURSE we want to see photos of your stag spoon and bull ladle!! IP: Logged
asheland Posts: 935 Registered: Nov 2003	posted 10-12-2018 10:50 AM Next time they are out, I'll post them here. IP: Logged
Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 Registered: Apr 93	posted 10-13-2018 01:44 PM I still am busy so I haven't had the time to go thru all the possible subject related posts/threads. I had completely forgotten and don't remotely recall the following post (old age I guess) ..... because its new to me: "Gilding by fire or mercury" IP: Logged

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