Gilding technique: a touch of light illuminates the splendor of objects
Among numerous traditional crafts, gilding is often considered the finishing touch. It's more than a simple decoration, but rather a sophisticated technique embodying ingenuity and artistry. A single touch of gold can imbue a simple, elegant object with a noble aura, as if reflecting the passage of time and light.
What is gilding?
As the name suggests, gilding involves using gold powder or liquid gold to paint patterns and outline lines on the surface of an object. This technique dates back to ancient imperial porcelain and is commonly found on precious Ming and Qing dynasty porcelains, such as famille rose and doucai. Gold symbolizes honor and wealth, and therefore, gilded porcelain was often used by emperors or presented as gifts to important officials.
The process of gilding
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Laying a solid foundation: The objects must first be shaped, bisque-fired, and glazed to create a smooth surface.
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Preparation of gold material: The traditional process uses gold ground into powder, while modern methods use more "gold water", which can be transformed into a shiny gold layer after high-temperature roasting.
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Hand-painted: Craftsmen use fine brushes to outline the gold on the edges, patterns, or text of the objects. Each stroke must be even and smooth.
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Firing and color fixing: After the painting is completed, it needs to be fired a second time at a kiln temperature of about 700-800℃ to ensure that the gold and glaze are closely integrated.
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Gloss polishing (optional): Some fine products will also be polished to make the gold wire shine in the light.
The charm of gilding
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Elegant and beautiful: Gold is naturally noble. Even a circle of gold painting on the rim of an object can instantly enhance the style.
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Delicate and sophisticated: the lines must be as fine as silk, without any trembling, which is a great test of the craftsman's skills.
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Timeless and new: The gold layer tempered by kiln fire is not easy to fall off and can maintain its luster for a long time.
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Diverse applications: From ancient imperial porcelain to modern tea sets, Buddha statues, and ornaments, gilding has always been the most dazzling.
The meaning of a touch of gold
Gilding is not only a decorative technique but also a cultural symbol. It skillfully combines simplicity with complexity, elegance with opulence, making objects shine in their understated elegance and dignified in their opulence. Each gilded line is a reflection of the brilliance flowing from the artisan's hand and a unique expression of the aesthetics of Chinese craftsmanship.
When we pick up a gold-painted teacup, what shines in our hands is not only gold, but also the craftsmanship and elegance passed down for hundreds of years.
-Brewin Teaware
