Gold leaf

Gold leaf is a product made from gold that has been hammered into thin sheets by goldbeating. It is often used in arts, crafts, and architectural decoration for gilding — the application of gold leaf or powder — to render objects with a thin coating of gold. Here are some key aspects of gold leaf:

1. History: The use of gold leaf dates back to ancient cultures. Egyptians used gold leaf to decorate tombs and furniture as far back as 2500 B.C. In medieval Europe, it was commonly used in the illumination of manuscripts and to embellish sculptures and buildings.
2. Production: Gold leaf is made by hammering gold into extremely thin sheets, sometimes only a few millionths of an inch thick. The process is labor-intensive and requires skill to ensure the leaf is consistently thin and doesn't tear.
3. Karat: Gold leaf is available in different karats, with 22-24 karat being pure gold. Lower karat gold leaf, such as 12k and 18k, contains a higher percentage of other metals, making it more durable but giving it a different color and sheen.
4. Application: Gold leaf is fragile and can be challenging to work with. It's typically applied with a brush or by hand, often over a layer of adhesive known as size. Once the gold leaf is laid down, it can be burnished or polished to make it shine.
5. Uses: Gold leaf is often used to decorate picture frames, books, statues, and jewelry. It's also used in architecture, to gild domes or other elements of buildings, and in food and drink, where it is used as a decorative, non-toxic additive.
6. Iconic Examples: Some notable uses of gold leaf include the decoration of the dome of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City, and the statue of Prometheus at the Rockefeller Center in New York City.
7. Gilding Techniques: There are several techniques for applying gold leaf. These include water gilding (applying gold leaf to a layer of gesso and clay bole), oil gilding (applying gold leaf to a layer of size), and glass gilding (applying gold leaf on glass).

In summary, gold leaf is a versatile and time-honored material that has been enhancing art and architecture with the splendor of gold for thousands of years.