What is Gold leaf?
{{one source|date=December 2023}} [[File:Small_gold_nugget_5mm_dia_and_corresponding_foil_surface_of_half_sq_meter.jpg|thumb|right|A gold nugget of 5 mm (0.2 in) in diameter (bottom) can be expanded through hammering into a gold foil of about 0.5 m<sup>2</sup> (5.4 sq ft). Toi museum, Japan]] '''Gold leaf''' is [[gold]] that has been [[hammer]]ed into thin sheets by [[goldbeating]]. It is often used for [[gilding]]. The most commonly used gold is 22-[[Carat (purity)|karat]] yellow gold. Layering gold leaf over a [[surface]] is called '''gold leafing''' or gilding. == In art == Gold leaf is sometimes used in art without a gilding process. In many [[culture]]s, it was used to wrap objects such as [[bullae]]. It has been used in [[jewellery]]. Gold leaf has traditionally been used as a gilding [[material]] to decorate art or the [[picture]] [[frame]]s. Gold leaf paintings were used in mosaics in later Early Christian art. Gold leaf is also used in [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] art to decorate [[statue]]s and [[symbol]]s. Gold leafing can also be seen on [[dome]]s in religious and public [[architecture]]. == In architecture == Gold leaf has long been used in architecture. It was used in [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]] and [[Roman Empire|Roman]] [[Church (building)|churches]] and [[basilica]]s in 400 AD. ==Culinary uses== Gold leaf is sometimes used to decorate [[food]] or [[drink]]. It is sometimes found in [[dessert]]s and [[confectionery]]. When used as a [[food additive]], gold has the E-number E175.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/55024606|title=Extreme cuisine : the weird & wonderful foods that people eat|last=Hopkins, Jerry|date=2004|publisher=Periplus|others=Bourdain, Anthony,, Freeman, Michael, 1945-|isbn=0-7946-0255-X|location=Singapore|oclc=55024606}}</ref> ==References== {{Reflist}} [[Category:Gold]] {{Stub}}