This consists mainly of round wires, soldered together in various patterns, sometimes, with little metal balls and little leaves soldered to the ends of the wires, producing a most charming effect. Variations of this is where two pieces of wire are twisted together forming a kind of rope, using this instead of the single wire, and also where the filigree work is fastened to a background.

Gilding; is not always applied to metalwork by electro deposition, as gates, railings, signs, weather vanes, etc., are ornamented by applying gold size, and when this becomes tacky gold leaf is laid on. This is very durable when properly done and good quality gold used. It is also done in a cheaper way by using gold powder or imitation gold leaf, but this has to be varnished with a transparent varnish to last, and when this is affected by the weather the alloy underneath turns black. The same method is used for applying copper, silver, and bronze powders of various colours and is known as bronzing, but it is only a sham bronzing.

Another method of gilding, called fire gilding or mercurial gilding, is to cover the article with an amalgam of gold and then heat to volatilize the mercury; afterwards dip and scratch brush or polish as required. This is the most durable method of gilding, but it is also the most expensive.