6. Conclusion

Gilding processes, from their earliest motivations, are strongly influenced by the traditions and craftsmanship developed over the centuries. It is difficult to provide an overview of this discipline, which touches on art, cultural practices and industry. Indeed, the industrial applications of gilding are numerous and the processes are constantly evolving: decorative electrochemical gilding, liquid gold gilding for tableware, gilding by physical deposits for electronics and connectors, the use of crushed gold leaf for cosmetics and pastries, etc.

A few general ideas and avenues of research can be drawn from the descriptions given in this article:

• it is possible to gild almost any material, from human skin to wood, metals, stone or ceramics, using recipes that are more or less complex, listed with varying degrees of...