Gilding tools

From squirrel hair gilder’s tips, to cushions, to knives (in both single and double-edged blades) for cutting leaves to size; from Kolner tools to mop brushes and burnishers for the application and finishing phases: we offer a range of useful products for applying leaf and gild finishing.

Our catalog features a wide selection of gilding accessories, designed for professional gilders, hobbyists and for teaching purposes. Our Manetti experts would be pleased to assist you in finding the most suitable tools for your intended use and leaf application technique (water or oil gilding).

Gilding cushion

Cushion with a leather outer layer for leaf cutting prior to application.

DETAILS

Gilding knife

Metal knife to section leaves into smaller parts prior to application.

DETAILS

Round squirrel hair gilder's mop

Gilder’s mop in very soft squirrel hair with short transparent varnished handle and natural quill binding.

DETAILS

Flat squirrel hair gilder's mop

This tool is available in various sizes and is designed to help the leaf to adhere to the support, especially where cavities are present on the gilding surface.

DETAILS

Gilder’s tip

Gilder’s tip in animal fur for gold and other precious metal leaf transfer.

DETAILS

Round squirrel hair brush (glass gilding)

Thin brush for a uniform application of the size, recommended for applications on glass.

DETAILS

Synthetic squirrel hair brush

Synthetic hair brush for an even application of the size, recommended for smooth and compact surfaces.

DETAILS

Brush in "Perla" synthetic bristle

Synthetic bristle brush for applying the size on smooth and compact surfaces.

DETAILS

Kolner Synthetic hair brush

Synthetic hair brush for an even application of the size, recommended for smooth and compact surfaces.

DETAILS

"Botticelli" range of brushes

Botticelli is a round threading brush with extra long tip in Teijin synthetic bristle and short handle, recommended for panel iconography.

DETAILS

"Brunelleschi" Range of Brushes

Brunelleschi is a round-tipped brush in extra ox bristle and with a long handle, recommended for bole application.

DETAILS

"Cimabue" Range of brushes

Cimabue is a round brush with a long tip in synthetic Teijin bristle and short handle, recommended for retouching and detailing and for panel iconography.

DETAILS

"Donatello" range of brushes

Donatello is a short flat-tip brush in extra natural bristle and with a long handle, recommended for fresco iconography.

DETAILS

"Masaccio" range of brushes

Masaccio is a round brushes with a short tip in synthetic Teijin bristle and short handle, recommended for panel iconography.

DETAILS

"Michelangelo" Range of brushes

Michelangelo is a short flat-tip brushes in extra natural bristle and with a long handle, recommended for fresco iconography.

DETAILS

"Vasari" Range of brushes

Vasari is a round brush with a flat tip in synthetic kazan squirrel bristle and a short handle, recommended for panel iconography.

DETAILS

"Pontormo" range of brushes

In soft synthetic squirrel hair, it is used for the application of gold and silver powder or shell.

DETAILS

Burnisher

Wooden tool with a polished agate stone tip designed for the polishing of gilding done with the gouache technique. “Find out more about the measurements of the burnishers”

DETAILS

Roll applicator

Tool designed to facilitate and speed up the application of precious metal rolls onto large flat surfaces.

DETAILS

Kölner tool

Wooden tool with a rubber tip for the gilding of inlay work surfaces

DETAILS

Kölner cloth

Fabric cloth for transfer leaf buffing.

DETAILS

Tools for gilding using the water and oil gilding techniques

Gilders use multiple tools in the different phases of the gilding process, like the application of leaves (genuine or imitation), powders and shells. We offer leather gilding cushions, gilding knives and brushes (of different sizes) for the handling and cutting of the leaves. To attach gold, silver and imitation leaves to a surface, they must be placed on a leather cushion and cut to the desired size with a knife. The squirrel hair gilder’s tip is used to move the leaf from the booklet to the cushion and, subsequently, to transfer it onto the material to be gilded. For the water gilding technique, we offer different types of gilding brushes in squirrel hair: round and flat mop brushes, both with natural quill binding, designed to facilitate leaf adhesion, even inside cavities and indentations on surfaces. You can also choose a wooden burnisher with a polished agate stone tip, designed for the final burnishing of gilding.

Read more

To obtain a uniform application of the leaf using the oil gilding technique, you can choose from three types of brushes: the squirrel hair glass gilding brush, specifically for applications on glass, the synthetic squirrel hair brush, recommended for smooth and compact surfaces, and finally, the “Perla” synthetic bristle brush, designed for ceramic, plastic and metal. Silver and gold powder and shells are used, instead, for retouching and gilding large areas. To achieve impeccable results, two types of tools are required: a round and a flat brush, both in synthetic squirrel hair. Also, for fast and easy gilding using leaf in rolls, we offer a special applicator that guarantees perfect adhesion to flat, large surfaces. Lastly, you can also purchase a Kolner tool, specifically for gilding inlaid surfaces with loose leaf and, from the same brand, a cloth designed for buffing transfer leaf and enhancing its shine. We would be pleased to help you choose the tool that best suits your needs.

Read less