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What is Gilding?
Gilding dates back at least 4000 years and can be found in most ancient cultures. The art of gilding gained tremendous popularity in England in the 18th century and again by the extremely wealthy populous in America around the turn of the last century.
The thin sheets of gold leaf is produced today by machinery that beats the gold into sheets or leaves of various shades and thickness. The lesser the karat the lighter the color. Pure gold is 24 karat and white gold is 12 karat.
Gilding is a complex multi-step process requiring dexterity, lots of patience and a steady hand. The gold can be applied using water or oil. Water gilding was the old traditional application for wood.
The most common technique in use today is called oil gilding and involves fixing 3 3/8" x 3 3/8" sheets or leaves of gold onto most any surface with an adhesive. The overlapping sheets of gold results in tiny irregular ridges where the leaves overlap. These ridges must then be gently beaten and smoothed, avoiding any cracks called "faults". In the hands of a skilled gilder, the completed surface looks like solid gold.
Any raised or carved surface, as seen on these medallions, requires several layers of gold leaf to cover the curves or crevices and requires extra skill and patience on the part of the gilders. This process is not recommended for the amateur as the expensive leaves of gold can easily be crushed, torn and wasted. Individuals who have unsuccessfully tried their hand at gilding, have found themselves with a crumbled mass of gold stuck to their fingers. In the hands of a skilled gilder, nothing can match the opulence of an elegant gilded piece of art.
Gold leaf gilding is an old art craft that is being revived with today's interest in combing modern decorative technique with the timeless beauty of the Old Master Artists.
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What kind of gold is used?
Only real gold is used. We do not use faux sprays or composition leaf (see our philosophy). The gold leaf used is 22.5K dark gold, 18K lemon yellow gold and/or 23.75K "moon gold", which is a mixture of approximately 91% genuine gold, 6% silver and 3% palladium.
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Are the medallions sealed?
After extensive research, the Gilded Leaf Company has developed and uses a multi-stage sealing process both before and after gilding. Our sealing process is a trade secret and minimizes the problems of most sealers, namely yellowing and altering the color of the gold. Although the sealers provide a light protection, the medallion should still be handled with care as you would any fine painting or piece of art.
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What is the medallion material?
The medallion is made from a light-weight, high density, polyurethane foam, which is cast in molds to take on various decorative shapes and details.
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How do I clean a gilded accent?
The cleaning of any gilded medallion or accent is the same as for any fine painting or piece of art. We recommend light dusting with a feather duster. Each gilded accent is sealed with special sealers for protection, thus care is minimal.
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How do I install a medallion?
The manufactures recommended installation instructions are shipped with each medallion. It is the responsibility of the buyer to have the medallion installed by a reputable licensed builder or contractor who is knowledgeable in the installation of medallions or accent elements.
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Is there an aging process or color variation in the gold or patina?
Over time, the gold will naturally age which may cause some slight darkening of the metal along with a few small hair line cracks. The aging process is normal and tends to add beauty and value to the gilded element. In addition, there can be a slight variation in the color of the gold due to the manufacturing process. The copper and patina will also vary with each medallion due to the application process.
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Do we accept international orders?
At the present time we only accept orders from the United States. We hope to service international orders in the near future.
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Copyright © Gilded Leaf Company. All rights reserved.
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