Chinese, Two Figures with Their Pets, Hand Carved, Gold Gilded.

Chinese, Two Figures with Their Pets, Hand Carved, Gold Gilded.

Gilding, in one form or another, has been known somewhere in the world for over four thousand years. It is found in the tombs of Egypt, and on the excavated bronze vessels in China, on the copper domes of churches in Russia, on the lovely and intricate religious books of Ireland, on the panels of icons and the walls of paintings. It is most useful art, sometimes a trade, sometimes an avocation, one which permits the overlay or binding of gold on humbler materials, enriching them and gladdening the heart. The various vehicles, gums, glues and other materials used by gilders are collectively known as mordants, those which permit the binding of the thin sheets of gold and other metals to paper, leather, stretched silk, to several kinds of gesso. Used with mercury and fire, in “fire gilding”, it permits the formation of amalgams with silver, copper, iron and bronze. Used with hot iron tools, it permits the stamping of letters and designs on the spines of books, on leather tabletops, and on saddles. And used with the warm vapour of the breath, the burnished gilding of words, letters and designs on parchment and paper.

Item Code - WOO2E3703HAB

Left Figure - Width: 1 1/2"  Height: 4 1/2"  Depth: 1 1/8"  Weight: 38 g

Right Figure - Width: 1 5/8"  Height: 4 3/8"  Depth: 1 1/8" Weight: 45 g