The practice and characterization of historic fire gilding techniques

Fire gilding was the predominant technique for the gilding of metalwork from 300 b.c. in China and 200 a.d. in Europe until the invention of electroplating in the 19th century. This article investigates its metallurgical aspects based on studies of original objects, gilding replication experiments, and literary evidence. Author’s Note: All compositions are in weight percent. The artifact appearing on this page is a 6th–7th century Anglo-Saxon cruciform brooch of fire-gilded low-tin bronze. A fire-gilded copper Chinese garment hook with a turquoise inlay from c. 200 b.c. is shown on page 60; three Chinese garment hooks of fire-gilded and silvered copper with turquoise in lay appear on page 61. Fore more information, contact K. Anheuser, Staatliche Museen Berlin, Schlosstr. la, D-14059, Berlin, Germany, telephone 49-30-320-91-298; fax +49-30-322-16-14.