What is Page Gilding and Art Gilt?
Can you remove old page gilding and re-apply new page gilding? Can you add art gilt (page dye) under the gold or silver page gilding?
Let’s discuss what the terms describe, and what can be done.
What you’re asking for isn’t all that difficult, but the terms for the different applications can be confusing. I’ll try to explain and clarify the things you’re asking about.
What is Gilding?
Gilding is the decorative technique of applying gold leaf/gold foil to fine books or Bibles. The finished result adds a layer of gold/silver to the page edges. The finished result adds a more luscious appearance to your Bible.
What is Art Gilt?
Art Gilt is the application of a dye to a Bible’s page edges that adds depth and interest to the edges of the Bible’s page edges. Applied on a Bible with gold or silver gilding, the page ends will show the specific color of the dye when the Bible is closed. Art Gilt applied to a Bible that has gold or silver gilding, and the gold or silver will show when the Bible is closed. Open the Bible and you’ll see the art gilt (page dye).
I suspect you’re beginning to understand how the terms get mixed up. They sound very similar, but they are actually two completely different applications, applied separately. To simply things, I often refer to art gilt as simply “page dye.” (You’ll notice that on my website.)
Some new Bibles come with both gold or silver page gilding with art gilt (page dye). You will normally see it referred to as red (or whatever color) under gold or silver gilding. It’s also important to point out that not all Bibles with gold or silver gilding come with any colored art gilt. Traditionally, there are also plenty of Bibles that came without gold or silver gilding, but had a color art gilt. Bibles have come in all shapes and sizes, as well as styles.
We all quickly learn that gold and silver gilding wears off easily, gets water spots, etc. That often leads people to where you may currently be with you Bible. You are curious about reapplying the gold or silver page gilding. While you’re at it, you might also consider adding the art gilt (page dye).
Most rebinders offer the option of adding art gilt (page dye) to a Bible. It’s not that difficult to master the technique. However, I don’t recommend trying to add art gilt (page dye) to a Bible with worn, scratched, etc., page gilding. Every place the gold or silver page gilding is worn, scratched, etc. will show the art gilt color through the page gilding when the Bible is closed. It simply won’t look good.
So if you are rebinding a Bible, and you want to replace the worn gold or silver page gilding, can it be done? The short answer is yes, but there are some considerations. Applying gold or silver page gilding involves several steps, and specific equipment, that eliminates rebinders from doing it themselves. Gold and silver page gilding is the one thing that reputable rebinders will send out to have done. There is only one company in the USA that accepts one-off re-gilding projects that has the expertise, and equipment to properly do it. I always advise my customers that is both an expensive option, and adds 4-6 weeks to any rebind. (That includes shipping the Bible back and forth.) I break down the Bible and send it off for the re-gilding. They remove the old gilding and apply the new, then send it back to me to continue the rebinding process.
So yes, what you’re asking about can be done. It takes some time and expense, but often its the confusing terms that you first have to wade through. The expense and extra time was probably the main thing that led some to perfect another option, which you haven’t asked about, called speckling. Not all rebinders do speckling, but it is probably less expensive than the cost and time of re-applying gold or silver page gilding. I personally don’t offer speckling. I just don’t personally care for is my reason, but that is something that many do like as an option.
I hope this information has been helpful!
