What is GOLD or SILVER LEAF ?
The ancient art of gilt, or ‘leafing’ has been with us since the Bronze age. Gold or silver was beaten down into very thin sheets and applied to every surface imaginable. The ranges and techniques available for the use of metal leaf are many. Much so called ‘gold leaf’ is actually a colored aluminum used in place of the more expensive grades of leaf made from precious metals. The industry term for this product is ‘Dutch Leaf’. There are many grades available of actual ‘Gold Leaf’, beginning at 12-carat to the finest 23-carat gold which is used on everything from Church or Temple domes, to lettering signs. The difference between actual Gold-Leaf and ‘Dutch Leaf’; (besides quality and price); is the fact that true Gold-Leaf will not tarnish in most applications. It is therefore one of the most prized of artistic mediums.
