BEHIND THE SCENE:
The Art of Silver Leafing
Gold and silver leafing technique began as early as the ancient Egyptians and was later refined during the Renaissance period. Today, this skilled craft is still employed using the same time-honored technique.
Architecture is also one of the creative fields that rely on leaf’s rich look on buildings and design components, evoking unique moments of rare opulence.
HOW IT’S MADE:
The process begins with a tissue thin piece of gold or silver. It is then hand-applied with a soft brush to a surface sprayed with glue, which is why wrinkles, lines and overlapping occur. Gold and silver leaf wrinkles, lines, and blocks will vary, creating a piece that is unlike any other. This technique and a lacquer topcoat create furniture that is as durable as it is beautiful.
Gold leaf is so thin that you can easily damage it, so take extreme care when cleaning furniture embellished with the substance. A light dusting with a soft-bristled brush is the safest way to clean gold leaf without causing damage.
Store or place gold leaf items away from the sun. Don’t store it in a place, like an attic, where the temperature and humidity are not controlled, as this can cause the wood underneath to swell or contract and potentially damage the gold leaf.
If you have a gold leaf piece that has been damaged, you can use gold leaf paint for small repairs, but be warned that the shades hardly ever match exactly.