Guilding

Gold leaf is real or imitation gold that has been beaten into very thin sheets—so thin it's almost weightless.

Gilding is the process of applying this gold leaf to a surface (like wood, canvas, or frame) to make it look luxurious and shiny.

Artists and craftsmen use gilding to decorate things like picture frames, religious icons, or details in paintings. The surface is usually prepared with a sticky substance (like water-based or oil-based "size") so the gold leaf will stick. Once applied, the gold can be gently burnished (polished) to shine, or left matte for a softer effect.