Water gilding is a timeless and exquisite technique for applying gold leaf to valuable objects. By meticulously layering gesso and clay, this method creates a breathtaking gilded surface that not only dazzles the eye but also ensures lasting beauty for generations to come.
The four essential tools for water gilding are a cushion, a knife, a tip, and an agate stone burnisher.
1. Gilder’s cushion
Gilders cushion is needed for all genuine gold and silver leafs. On a rectangular wooden base, a layer of foam is covered with soft suede leather. The final result is a cushion with a rigid base, easy to handle, and a slightly convex and elastic surface. The leaf is picked up by the Gilders Tip and placed for cutting with the Gilders Knife.
Cushions and knives are mainly used for gold and silver leaves to optimize the use of materials while minimizing waste. Lightly dusting the leather surface with gypsum or ash obtained from rice straw reduces the risk of the gold leaf adhesion to the cushion surface during cutting.
Cushion size: 25cm x 18.5cm.
2. Gilders’ knife
The gilders’ knife is made of high-grade steel to cut the gold and silver leaves on the cushion. Before use, the blade has to be degreased carefully with Ethanol. Do not touch the blade to avoid greasing. The gilding knife is designed and created specifically for gilding and is essential for correctly applying gold leaf. Its sharp blade allows you to cut the gold leaf quickly and accurately into the appropriate dimensions for the decoration to be carried out.
Blade size: 14.5 cm, knife total length is 26cm.
3. Agate stone burnishing tool #17
Agate is a semi-precious stone which consists of certain siliceous materials. There are different kinds of agate colourings. Each colour looks different and is, therefore, unique. The burnishers are suitable for all leaf metals that can be processed with the poliment gilding technique. Because the polishing stones are susceptible, keeping them away from hard surfaces is recommended to avoid them getting scratched.
This burnisher #17 is the most used shape by gilders; you can burnish almost any gilded surface.
Total length is is 24cm.
4. Gilders’ tip
A professional gilder’s tip, made from pure squirrel hair, is a mark of quality. It is perfect for picking up loose gold leaf and accurately placing it in the intended area. This ensures precise leaf placement while minimizing waste of gold and silver leaf.
Size 90mm.