Antique French Louis Revival Giltwood Overmantel Mirror 19th C 156 x 98 cm

The purpose of gilding is to give the appearance of solid gold, a practice that began over 4,000 years ago in Egypt. Paintings from Egyptian tombs from around 2000 B.C. show workers pounding gold into thin sheets to apply to pieces of furniture and coffins. The Greeks applied gilding to statues in around 400 B.C.E., and gilding techniques have continued to be used in Europe, South America, Spain, Britain and the United States.

During the 18th century, Louis XIV of France flaunted his wealth with gilded furnishings, framed artwork and architectural detailing, marking France as a leader in the decorative arts.

There are two methods of true gilding: oil gilding and water gilding.
Oil gilding uses an oil-based product on a prepared surface, and the leaf is gently pressed onto the surface.
Water gilding uses a water-based adhesive that causes the gold leaf to adhere to the surface.