Sparkle Gold Dutch Metal Leaf

Imitation gold leaf is very popular as good handicraft materials. It’s the basis for a wide range of antiques and effects in difficulty. There is very little written about the origin of imitation gold leaf. I think that probably originated during the industrial age. During this period a new middle class is the shallower and a demand for cheap labour.

There are many examples of 19th century gilded picture frames which employed Dutch metal leaf. A catalogue from the Great Exhibition of 1851 listed several suppliers of 23 carat gold leaf and Dutch metal leaf.

The alloys used in the production of this golden leaf do not have anything like the malleability of genuine gold, I am certain some form of mechanical or hydraulic press would be needed to produce the leaf.

Dutch metal leaf is known under several names; imitation gold leaf, the composition gold leaf, Dutch gold and in Germany known as the Schlagmetal (strike metal)

The leaf is divided into a range of different alloys which creates various shades.

• No 1 Is a very deep red, composed of an alloy of 10% zinc and 90% copper.

• No 2 Is a red/gold colour, composed of an alloy of 12% zinc and 88% copper.

• No 2 ½ Has a colour similar to that of 22K gold leaf, an alloy composed of 15% zinc and 85% copper. This is the colour I recommend and use myself.

• No 3 Is a yellow colour, composed of an alloy of 18% zinc and 82% copper.

These alloys if they are combined, closely resembles the fine appearance of genuine gold metals. The thickness of the leaf is about 0.3 micrometers. Each book of this golden leaf contains 25 leaves of approximately 5-inch squares.

If genuine gold leaf or elsewhere used, must be protected with a clear varnish, leaf of metal Dutch is the same, must be protected with a lacquer coating to prevent from tarnish.

Taken from - Richard Norman

 

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