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Water Gilder

  • Thread starter Thread starter dmoseley
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dmoseley

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While researching my family history, I came across the occupation of Water Gilder. This was a reference in a trade directory from the early part of the 19th century. I assumed that this was related to the craft of gilding of metal, but there is a suggestion this was more to do with water fowls! I know Birmingham was much more rural then, but this seems a bit improbable?
 
I can't even hazard a guess at this one, but suggesting anything rural must surely be gilding the lily a bit. :P
 
result of Google search : water gilding

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Water gilding, also called gilding on bole, consists of applying loose sheets of gold on a layer of red clay (bole). The bole supplies a flexible surface that allows for polishing the gold with an agate burnisher thereby obtaining a brilliant and very smooth effect. The bole gives the gold red reflections due to transparency. This technique of gilding requires a significant investment in materials and long practice to obtain good results.

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Any help :?:
 
Paul J ..err...guess I asked for that!

Ray - Cheers. Yes, this is of great help - you are obviuosly a better Googler than me - nothing to do with water fowl then!
 
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