When the wax is spread, let the work cool, then have a fire ready of such nature as shall melt off the wax without heating the metal to redness. When heated in this way, rinse it out in a solution of tartar and water—what among goldsmiths is called grommata. This done, let it stand for such time as you can say an Ave Maria, then clean it with a brush in fresh water, rubbing it well.[183] If your work has been well gilded, you may further colour it with the process I shall tell you of shortly. But as to do so you have first to wax it, I had best tell you to begin with how that wax is made; and ’tis in this wise.
FOOTNOTES:
[181] Che sia abbondantemente carico d’oro.
[182] Cellini refers to the preliminary cleaning with urine described in Chapter xxvii.
[183] Ristiara di buon vantaggio.
CHAPTER XXX. HOW TO MAKE THE WAX FOR GILDING.
Take five ounces of new wax, half an ounce of red chalk (that is to say, red stone chalk for drawing[184]), half an ounce of Roman vitriol,[185] three pennyweights[186] of feretto di spagna,[187] that is of the weight of a ducat, or one-eighth of an ounce, or it may be a bit less, half an ounce of verdigris, & three pennyweights of borax. Mix all these things together and melt them with the wax, & apply them as above described. After this, when the wax is cleaned off, you can give it the colouring that follows hereunder.
FOOTNOTES:
[184] Lapis rosso da disegnare; French, ‘sanguine.’
[185] Vitriouolo romano: sulphate of iron.