Discussion Questions

• Why would a craftsperson cover the surface of a work of art, such as a statue, with gold leaf rather than simply creating the entire work in solid gold?
• Which physical finishing technique—damascening, false damascening, or leaf application—might be expected to be the most resistant to abrasive wear? Why?
• Which physical finishing technique is usually the most labor intensive? Which is usually the least?
• Which physical finishing technique uses the largest quantity of decorative metal per surface area that is covered? Which uses the smallest?