Art and Science of Gilding

Annotation

Whilst the greatest effort has been made to ensure the quality of this text, due to the historical nature of this content, in some rare cases there may be minor issues with legibility. During the past few years, we have received many requests from retail picture frame dealers for information that would enable them to do their own re-gilding. Books have been written on the subject; but nothing practical has ever been published. Having followed the trade of Picture Framing and Gilding for nearly thirty years, we have put into this little volume some of the knowledge acquired; and have endeavored to explain the different processes used by gilders.<br><br>In a factory, an apprentice has to work about four years before he is looked upon as a competent gilder. Even then, there is much necessary information that he may not have acquired. Employers and foremen usually keep secret many of the formulas, and give the workmen the materials mixed, ready for use.<br><br>In this book, all of these formulas are given, with explicit directions for compounding them; and with its aid, one with ordinary intelligence and a few weeks of practice, can do very creditable work. The beginner will doubtless be awkward and clumsy, especially in handling the leaf; but a little practice will soon overcome the difficulty.