Water-gold Size.
Leaf-gold is considered the most durable, is beautifully bright, and repays the trouble of its application. A "book" containing 25 leaves costs 1s. 6d., or 100 leaves for 4s. Water-gold size seems to be the simplest preparation, 1s. 6d. per box. This size is used like a moist colour, with water. Paint the surface to be gilded, smoothly and rather thickly, carefully preserving the edges clear and sharp. |Gold-leaf.| Let it stand until, on touching the size lightly with the finger, it is found to be sticky, but not moist, so as to smear. While the size is drying, take a piece of common writing-paper (not too highly glazed), rub it over slightly and briskly with a piece of white wax (in two or three strokes), lay it on a leaf of gold which will adhere to the paper.[9] With a large, sharp pair of scissors, cut both paper and gold-leaf into a piece rather larger than the surface to be gilded, and the size being just sticky, lay the gold down upon it, keeping the paper still in its place; press it very gently and smoothly all over with a ball of cotton-wool, as if you were pasting it down: breathe on the paper, then remove it, and let the gold remain undisturbed about half an hour, or longer. Then, with a large, dry brush, in light, sharp touches, brush away the superfluous gold, and the work is completed.
There are other methods of applying gold-leaf, but this is given as the simplest. A gilder's tip (a flat brush) is generally used, but requires skill in handling, which remark applies also to the gilder's palette and knife.
Any corners to which the gold has not adhered may be retouched with the size, and gilded as before. Be careful not to touch the gold with the fingers, or it will be quite spoilt. If the leaf curls up upon the paper, it can be blown down with a gentle breath.
Raised Gold.
There is an "Illuminating Raising Preparation" at 1s. 6d. per bottle, which may be found useful, and may be painted over with Bessemer's, or water-gold; it would, however, add to the difficulty of applying gold-leaf, unless the hand were previously well practised.
Silver.
Silver is sold in shells; a water-colour, but it quickly tarnishes.
Aluminium.
Aluminium is sold in shells (a water-colour), and is a good substitute for silver; although not equal in beauty, it is said not to tarnish. Being a recent discovery, it has not yet had the test of long experience. Aluminium is used in touches upon white flowers, or the emblem of the dove, previously softly shaded with neutral tint. These shell metals cost about 6d. and upwards.