Gilding techniques and materials (5 ECTS)

Objective

The student is familiar with literature related to medieval and later gilding techniques. The student is familiar with the materials, tools and methods used in gilding, both historically and today.
The student masters the basic techniques of gilding and surface treatment / decoration of different historical eras. The student is able to identify gilding and surface decoration techniques and materials used in various historical objects.
Competences: material and manual competences, multicultural and international competences, context competences

Content

Traditional methods of gilding – water gilding and oil gilding as well as silvering and properties of other sheet metals.
The gilding methods and surface decoration techniques used during the Middle Ages in Southern and Northern Europe (sgraffitto, punching, engraving, Pressbrocade) as well as the pigments used in the decoration.
Various gilded objects (paintings, altar cabinets, polychrome sculptures, frames, furniture, possibly objects made of other materials) and their typical decoration methods and - techniques.

Location and time

Metropolia AMK Arabian campus. Hämeentie 135 D. Facilities of the Degree Program in Conservation.

Materials

1. Art in the Making. Italian Painting Before 1400. 1992, National Gallery Publications Ltd. London
2. MacTaggart, P. and A., 1984, Practical Gilding. Mac & Me Ltd, Herts
3. Bigelow, Gilded Wood. History and Conservation. 1991, Sound View Press.
4. Gilding and surface decoration: preprints of the UKIC conference restoration '91, UKIC 1991.
5. Hebing, C., Vergolden und Bronzieren : Untergrund - Arbeitstechniken - Werkstoffe : ein Hanbuch für die Praxis. D.W. Gallwey 1985.
6. Mehart, N. Von, DuMont's Handbuch Vergolden und Fassen : Polimentglanzvergoldung, Vergoldung hinter Glas und auf Papier, Öltechnik, Bronzierung, Fassung des Inkarnats, Reiningen und Restaurieren. Dumont Buchverlag, 1987.
7. Tunander, P., Förgyllning. Bokförlaget Signum, 1997.
8. Additional literature might be given by the lecturer during the module.

Teaching methods

• Contact teaching
• Lecture
• Guided assignments
• Example-based teaching
• Individual Tutorials
• Independent work with literature

Employer connections

Training and cooperation with the professionals of the field, is based on the lectures given by professional visiting lecturers within the possibilities of the resources, as well as on interaction with professionals in the field. Objects to be conserved will be obtained mainly from museum collections or different institutions with collections, through already existing cooperation and agreements with the work field.

Exam schedules

No exam. The evaluation is based on participation and evaluation of practical exercises.

Completion alternatives

None

Student workload

The weekly working hours of a student is 1,5 cr, which is equivalent to 40 hours of studies and independent work. 40 hours is formed from approx. 20- 22 hours of contact studies with a lecturer. The remaining hours are dedicated for independent literature survey or independent practical work. 1 credit (cr) is equivalent to 26 study / practical work hours (h).

Content scheduling

The course has a materials fee of 80 euros for gold and silver leaf, imitation gold leaf metal and wooden gilding supports, which the student uses for the course assignments. Additional gold leaf is also available for an additional fee. Tools and other materials are provided by the educational institution.
After the course is completed and evaluated, the student will keep their practice work examples.

Further information

Materials fee will be collected right at the start of the module.

Evaluation scale

0-5

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

The student is able to understand the materials and techniques of gilding at the basic level and is familiar with the related theory at the basic level. The student masters the basics of the course in practice and understands the main content of the course. The student understands the necessary theoretical and applied principles related to the topic. The student is able to acquire information independently. The practical work has not been sufficiently independent, there are many shortcomings in its management and the end result, but the student still performs the tasks.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

The student has a good understanding of gilding materials and techniques. The student demonstrates a good understanding of theoretical and applied knowledge. The student is able to justify the choices he / she has made expertly, and the application in practice proceeds consistently in accordance with the practices of the professional field. The student masters the whole in both theory and practice and has achieved a good level of knowledge and practical work skills. The student is able to analyse one's own weaknesses and strengths. The work has been sufficiently independent. The student is able to acquire information independently and is able to critically analyse this information.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The student masters the subject and has achieved an excellent level of knowledge and skills. The student demonstrates excellent theoretical and applied knowledge and is able to apply what he or she has learned well. The student is able to work extensively independently on both written and skill-based assignments. The student is able to acquire information independently and to analyse and apply this information. The student participates in the discussion with arguments using the concepts of the field. The student is able to justify the choices he / she has made expertly and the application in practice proceeds consistently in accordance with the practices of the professional field. The student is able to analyse his / her own weaknesses and strengths. The student works consistently and independently, showing initiative.

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

The student is able to understand the materials and techniques of gilding at the basic level and is familiar with the related theory at the basic level. The student masters the basics of the course in practice and understands the main content of the course. The student understands the necessary theoretical and applied principles related to the topic. The student is able to acquire information independently. The practical work has not been sufficiently independent, there are many shortcomings in its management and the end result, but the student still performs the tasks.

Assessment methods and criteria

Learning assignment 60 %, continuous assessment 40 %.

Assessment is based on continuous assessment of a student, course attendance, practical exercises and their assessment.
Each student is also assessed from the starting point of her/his abilities.

Qualifications

Introduction to paintings conservation

Further information

The weekly working hours of a student is 1,5 cr, which is equivalent to 40 hours of studies and independent work. 40 hours is formed from approx. 20- 22 hours of contact studies with a lecturer. The remaining hours are dedicated for independent literature survey or independent practical work. 1 credit (cr) is equivalent to 26 study / practical work hours (h).

Material fee for the gold and silver leaf, schlagmetal and wooden gilding supports which the student uses for the practical assignments of the course, a total of approximately 70 euros. For an additional fee, student can also obtain more gold and silver leaf and other leaf metals. Tools and other materials on behalf of the educational institution. The student can keep the practical gilding work for himself / herself

Further information

The weekly working hours of a student is 1,5 cr, which is equivalent to 40 hours of studies and independent work. 40 hours is formed from approx. 20- 22 hours of contact studies with a lecturer. The remaining hours are dedicated for independent literature survey or independent practical work. 1 credit (cr) is equivalent to 26 study / practical work hours (h).

Material fee for the gold and silver leaf, schlagmetal and wooden gilding supports which the student uses for the practical assignments of the course, a total of approximately 70 euros. For an additional fee, student can also obtain more gold and silver leaf and other leaf metals. Tools and other materials on behalf of the educational institution. The student can keep the practical gilding work for himself / herself

Execution methods

• Contact teaching
• Lecture
• Guided assignments
• Example-based teaching
• Individual Tutorials
• Problem-based learning
• Independent work with literature