Gilding & Restoration Materials

Japanese shell gold in ceramic pans.

Shell gold, so named because it was historically made and stored in shallow shells such as mussel shells, consists of finely powdered genuine gold mixed with a variety of gums. This Japanese shell gold range is made using the highest quality handmade Japanese gold and precious metal powders bound with Nikawa gelatine glue.

Mix with a bit of water and apply in the same way as watercolour (a drop of oxgall can be added to break the surface tension) After drying, it can be burnished to a soft, beautiful lustre using an agate stone burnishing tool.
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Premium quality, extra fine genuine gold precious metal powders handcrafted in Japan by experienced craftsmen, all 1 gram in weight. By crushing gold leaves finely and mixing them with melted glue, a paste is obtained, broken into pieces and transformed into powder, called « Kindei » Gold Powder. First, the 0,2 micron gold leaves are crushed into 3 microns pieces. Afterwards, the glue is washed out with water and dried. The powder obtained is as smooth and fine as flour.