![]() ![]() ![]() Potential gilders are encouraged to investigate contemporary calligraphy books discussing ingredients and techniques. Although the primary component of calligraphy is lettering, gold remains a valued decorative embellishment with text and illustration. This discipline incorporates gold, lettering, and illusion, echoing elements found within illuminated manuscripts. The practical technique of raised gesso gilding survives within the calligraphic arts. Mastery of gilding is essential before addressing the complexities of raised gesso in medieval manuscripts. Therefore, combining elements of historical interest onto a single manuscript page illustrates various techniques in a traditional setting. Byzantine, 12th Century, National Library, AthensĮvolution of manuscript design is a complex investigation, and historically accurate designs are not a prerequisite to the study of raised gesso gilding. Illuminated manuscript of Saint Luke writing at his desk. The unique codex format demands malleable ingredients to endure subsequent handling. The base must be sticky to ensure adhesion, and strong to survive burnishing. The gold must retain its metal sheet construction when applied, as degradation to particle form destroys brilliance. Gold leaf requires a suitable base in order to exploit its properties. Raised gold letters on purple vellum contribute a spiritual majesty to the written word. Solid areas contain tooled patterns, creating minute reflective nuances on the surface. Gold leaf commonly appears as a background to miniature paintings. This discovery captured the mirrored beauty of Byzantine gold in the codex format.īyzantine manuscripts include many examples of raised gesso gilding. ![]() Technological advancements in the 12th century resulted in the development of gold leaf, a thin, delicate sheet of solid gold. Gold leaf is the most valued form of manuscript gilding, as it creates the illusion of solid gold. Slightly more reflective than shell gold, patent gold yields a moderate quality of illumination. Patent gold consists of gold grains pressed on squares of tissue, commonly labeled "transfer gold." Oil or water mordents (usually gum ammoniac), applied on the support material, provide adhesion. Shell gold, acceptable for lettering or small accents, is not recommended for major work. Although this method works well on rough vellum, burnished grains produce dull illumination. A small brush applies the mixture-technically comparable with watercolor painting. Gum, glair, or size provide suitable gold-grain binders. Gold pigment, liquid gold, and shell gold are the simplest methods of illumination, and represent the earliest occurrence of gold in manuscripts. Nevertheless, a brief description of contemporary illumination can provide certain insights into historical techniques. Sources listing possible ingredients provide academic information, rather than the practical data essential to reconstructing gold illumination. How gold bases developed is also unclear current written analyses of illuminated manuscripts omit specific references to gesso compositions. Gold became an intrinsic element of the illuminated page, and borders, initials, backgrounds, and letters provided many opportunities for spiritual expression.Ī review of methods on applying gold leaf on illuminated manuscripts using raised gesso.Ĭontemporary Gilding Techniques on ManuscriptsĪ detailed, chronological study of manuscript gold decoration is a formidable task, far beyond the scope of this article. Illuminated manuscripts echoed these achievements in miniature, capturing minute reflections of medieval life and devotion. The medieval love of gold is exemplified during the Byzantine period, when the establishment of the Church inspired resplendent domes, mosaics, icons, and architecture-each brushed with the light of God. ![]() It represented spiritual, transcendental light and expressed divine intelligence. This precious metal fascinated medieval society. Ask our PriceScope members and industry experts for a second opinion or get lost in the thousands of user-shared diamond and jewelry images for inspiration.GOLD. ![]()
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