Series editors' preface - Wood Tools

to worked through the gold leaf slowly and in
a more controlled way. Cracks can be carefully
inpainted or incised using a scalpel prior to
distressing and toning (Green, 1979).
16.9.11 Toning
Toning describes the application of colour or
surface coating to a gilded surface. Toning that
utilized a thin size was usually applied as part
of an original gilding system to create areas of
matte gilding, which brings greater contrast to
adjacent areas of burnished gilding.
Conservators may apply toning to integrate a
repair to an existing surface (Figure 16.29).
There is little published on toning and gilders
are often reluctant to share trade secrets.
However, the conservator has a wide range of
materials to choose from – one source stated the
case simply when she suggested that the gilder
is free to use anything that will give the desired
result and which is ethically acceptable
(Wetherall, 1992). The guiding principle is to
avoid the binding medium used in the gold
below so, for example, water colours or
gouache may be used on oil gilding and oil
colours or japan size on water gilding. Some
gilders apply a sealing coat of transparent shellac
onto water gilding, allow it to dry and then
use water colours. Colour can be applied as a
thin wash, stippled or brushed on the surface
or, for large areas, applied with an airbrush.
Wax and wax based emulsions have been
widely used in the past. Other possible materials
include commercial water or oil colours used
in conjunction with conservation grade materi-
Figure 16.29 Coating and toning of a conserved frame
with spray application of cellulose nitrate lacquer
als such as Paraloid B72, stabilized dammar or
Regalrez 1094. Green (1979) recommended
toning using parchment size and gilder’s ormolu
for oil gilding and emphasized the need for
transparency, which allows the gold to be seen
below the toning. Rogers (1991) utilized parchment
size tinted with water colours and added
a small amount of an acrylic matte medium to
prevent the wet surface coating contracting into
beads or islands.
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