fire gilding

American  

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.

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Etymology

Origin of fire gilding

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.

From New York Times • Aug. 11, 2017

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.

From New York Times • Dec. 22, 2016