fire gilding

noun

1. a process of gilding metalwork in which the metal base is coated with an amalgam of gold and mercury, the latter subsequently being driven off by heat.

Word History and Origins

Origin of fire gilding¹

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

Mr. McLemore practiced the ancient method of fire gilding, in which mercury and gold are heated to an extreme temperature, causing the gold to transfer onto an object — in his case, mostly antique clocks.

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Eric Thiriet, who specializes in finishing techniques, and Marc Voisot, a restorer who works with fire gilding, huddled head-to-head before a golden column and capital at the entrance to the exhibition, whispering in low conspiracy about its detail.

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Fire gilding, specifically, is now rarely used except in museum-piece restorations.

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In Gouthière’s workshop, gilt was applied with fire gilding, a process by which an amalgam of mercury and gold was gently baked onto an object in a low fire, the mercury evaporating and the gold remaining as a coating of gilt.

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Electroplating — using an electric current to adhere the gold to the object — appeared in the 19th century, largely replacing fire gilding, whose mercury fumes are highly toxic.

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