3562. To Make Gold Size for Frames

3562.    To Make Gold Size for Frames. Grind fine sal-ammoniac well with a muller and stone; scrape into it a little beef-suet, and grind all well together; after which mix in with a pallet knife a small proportion of parchment size with a double proportion of water.

3563. Gold Size for Picture Frames

3563.    Gold Size for Picture Frames. Grind a lump of tobacco pipe clay into a very stiff paste with thin size; add a small quantity of red ochre and fine black lead, ground very fine, and temper the whole with a small piece of tallow.

3564. To Prepare Picture Frames for Gilding

3564.   To Prepare Picture Frames for Gilding. Take a small cup or pipkin, into which put as much gold size as you judge sufficient for the work in hand; add parchment size till it will just flow from the brush; when quite hot, pass over your work with a very soft brush, taking care not to put the first coat too thick; let it dry, and repeat it two or three times more, and, when quite dry, brush the whole with a stiff brush, to remove any roughness. The work is now ready for applying the gold. The parchment size should be of such a consistence, when cold, as the common jelly sold in the stores; for if too thick it will be apt to chip, and if too thin it will not have sufficient body.

3565. To Apply Gold Leaf to Picture Frames and Other Wood Work

3565.    To Apply Gold Leaf to Picture Frames and Other Wood Work. This is the most difficult part of the operation, and requires some practice; but, with a little caution and attention, it may be easily performed. Turn the gold out of the book onto the cushion, a leaf at a time; then, passing the gilding-knife under a leaf, bring it into a convenient part of the cushion for cutting it into the size of the pieces required; breathe gently on the centre of the leaf, and it will lay flat on the cushion ; then cut it to the proper size by sawing it gently with the knife till divided. Place the work in -a position nearly horizontal, and, with a long-haired camcl's - hair pencil dipped in water (or with a small quantity of brandy in the water), go over as much of it as the piece of gold is to cover; then take up the gold from the cushion with the tip; drawing it over the forehead or cheek will damp it sufficiently to adhere to the gold, which must then carefully be transferred to its place on the work, and, gently breathing on it, it will adhere; but take care that the part to which it is applied is sufficiently wet; indeed, it must be floating, or the gold will be apt to crack. Proceed in this manner by a little at a time, and do not attempt to cover too much at once. Be careful, in proceeding •with the work, if any flaws or cracks appear, to take a corresponding piece of gold, and apply it immediately; sometimes, also, it will be necessary, when the gold does not appear to adhere sufficiently, to draw a pencil quite filled with water close to the edge of the gold, so that the water may run underneath it.