How was it made? Water gilding | V&A

Water gilding is a process which makes wood look like gold. Follow the stages involved in gilding a wooden frame - from brushing on layers of gesso (glue and chalk mixture), to applying and burnishing the gold leaf.
How to make a gilded frame:
Glue applied to wood: 00:27
Gesso mixed and applied in layers: 00:34
Gesso smoothed with dried horsetail plant: 00:46
Details cut into the base: 00:58
Yellow ochre pigment applied: 01:07
Bole applied: 01:20
Surface is smoothed with a brush: 01:29
Water is brushed on and gold leaf is applied: 01:56
An animal tooth is used to burnish the surface: 02:15
Frame is coated with glue for an even finish: 02:33
Find out more: www.vam.ac.uk/...

[@blissgirl9052]

This video was entirely too short. I could have watched hours more of this. Thank you for teaching me something I didn't know.

[@ParadigmUnkn0wn]

It conveyed enough of the process to give a layperson a general understanding of the concept without diving into unnecessary details for someone that will never actually do this. It's the perfect length. Any longer would be a waste of time.

[@bigglyguy8429]

@@ParadigmUnkn0wn I watched at 1.5 X and that was ideal :)

[@paillette2010]

Many kudos to the video production team: marvelous. And a shout out to hydrogen bonds!

[@ladyscarlette6289]

Those bonds doing a great job, really keeping it together and came in clutch.

[@beautyforashes2022]

That's really pretty. I had no idea that so many steps went into that process.

[@anitaheart]

What perfection. Truly exquisite.

[@littlejuicebox]

This is so beautiful, I'm so glad I got to see it. Thank you

[@darthlaurel]

Good grief....I had no idea it was that complicated!

[@londonhodnet4079]

Loved this, more please

[@vamuseum]

Make sure you're subscribed - we've got plenty more!

[@dddiegostudio]

just discovered your content and im obsessed! Greetings from Mexico!

[@nigelcarren]

The 'Smoothing until it shines' part is where I first went wrong... I didn't smooth anything! 🙈 I still have the frame and I refuse to put it right... It remains a signpost to progress! Thank you for this gentle float-downstream, the antidote to one of THOSE noisy KZbin videos. Best wishes from an English armour-restorer in a French forest... and of course all the mice in the workshop. ⚒️🇬🇧🐭🐭🐭🐭

[@Schmunzel57]

I never heard of an animal tooth used to smooth it out. I only know of polished agate stones (of different chaps) seat in a handle (like the tooth)

[@claudiocavaliere856]

Absolutely amazing! Loved it! Congratulations

[@christinealdret1209]

I have learned something. 👍🏻🌹

[@RPRsChannel]

The "why" this and that is done would have been nice.

[@HarmonixHealing]

Well Done

[@starcrib]

An almost ancient technique- but the18th Century- mastered it all. 💰

[@richardwahl6667]

Great to see these traditional methods still being used even including exposing the worker to the traditional health risks of lung diseases caused by breathing chalk dust.

[@starcrib]

Really- ? Omg.

[@BeeBait]

Right? It's still odd to me, seeing modern professional engaging in traditional arts without using proper PPE...

[@kazbushwell]

Amazing ⭐️

[@MagnitudeUK]

Wow! Excellent work! Do you know what animal tooth in particular has been used here?

[@londonhodnet4079]

Think you can use agate burnisher

[@dutchman7623]

@@londonhodnet4079 Correct! Agate is a little softer than gold and therefor doesn't damage it but polishes it. It may look like an animal tooth but I am almost sure it is agate.

[@JR-nw4to]

@@dutchman7623 agate is much harder than gold...Traditionally dogs tooth burnisher was used. Agate is used today. Burnishers come in many different sizes and shapes

[@ilmelangolo]

molto bello! grazie!

[@ladyscarlette6289]

Pssst, can I do this too? Where can I apply? It looks really meditative.

[@laurenbee6340]

Wow!!

[@georgebelev1900]

Bois doré!

[@augustaalecsa9680]

It is not LIKE gold, the surface IS gold.

[@Shortfilmsyou]

To be like! Or not to be like! That is the gold question! Jk 😜😂

[@alberteisenmann1023]

What glue do you take for the antique finish please ?????

[@emadintro7641]

Albert Eisenmann: rabbit skin glue

[@alberteisenmann1023]

@@emadintro7641 Thank you very mutch.

[@nunyabiznes33]

Isn't this bole also used to gild Russian icons?

[@AE-nf8nz]

ok but did we have to hesr the breathing

[@bluerosefire_club4205]

Your hand has to be very delicate when working with leaf gold.

[@SNO3R]

does anyone hear the nose breathing whistle?

[@jatigre1]

I've actually have eaten chocolate cake with gold, and chicken too.

[@markuswulf4209]

Ah! That's why it doesn't look the same, when you just stick gold leaf on something...

[@briandedora]

No formulas though... it doesn't work w/o formulas which are not provided....??!!!

[@Gladysjelly]

Put on a mask! All those particles are not good for your health. Nonetheless a great video!

[@MeSoyCapitan]

Voice over would have infinitely improved this, rather than tiny subtitles and strange music.

[@Vieen1810]

What video????