The name gold leaf has very ancient origins. The Greeks called it πέταλον, which means leaf, and the Latins bractea, which has the same meaning. In addition to the arboreal metaphor, the choice of this name probably also derives from the fact that gold leaf has always been used as a leaf/sheet for covering statues, walls, room ceilings, furniture and fabrics, that is to wrap objects made of other materials in thin, precious foil.