In these lines Wang Wei conveys the mysticism and enduring appeal of gold. In ancient China the Emperors swallowed gold believing it to bring them immortality by allowing them to reach the Jade Emperor s Court. People around the world have always craved gold and wars have been waged over it.
Civilisations spread in their search for gold.
Gilding is the application of gold to the surface of an object made of another material i.e. wood, bronze, lacquer etc. It was then laid on to a substrate made of metal, wood, lacquer, plaster etc. to give it the appearance of being made of solid gold. These techniques have not changed to this day. Carving First a suitable wood must be chosen, like lime which is soft, knot free and easy to carve. Gesso Gesso is commonly made from finely ground chalk, water and rabbit skin glue.