Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1884, by
ISAAC H. WALKER,
In the office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington.
PRELIMINARY REMARKS
ON
Gilding and Bronzing.
The art of gilding has been practiced from the earliest dates. Mention of it is made in the Scriptures, and it was known to the Egyptians, who made an extensive use of it in the ornamentation of their burial cases. It became to be generally used amongst the Romans soon after the downfall of Carthage, and was applied very profusely to the decoration of their dwellings and temples.
During the middle ages, and when the seats of learning and civilization were located in Italy and among the Moorish Arabs in Spain, the most elaborate use of it was made in almost every branch of art. It entered largely into architectural decoration, and the cathedrals and mosques were favorite objects for its display.
Among the Chinese, the use of gold leaf as a method of decoration has been practiced for an indefinite period, and its origin with them must be very ancient. Taken altogether, gilding is an art that has been and still is in more general use than any other; and the reason is, that it is almost always appropriate wherever called into requisition.
The art of gilding and of bronzing can readily be acquired by any one who is disposed to devote care and attention to it. It is an art having few, if any, amateurs. Those who practice it are generally those who follow it as a trade, and, perhaps, for the reason that such persons have but little time to spare from their profession, there is so little written information found on the subject.
The cyclopædias are exceedingly deficient in everything like a correct or reliable description of the art. The information which they give is mostly of an elementary character, and of a kind that is somewhat impracticable and very unavailable.