Bookbinding and the Conservation of Books
A Dictionary of Descriptive Terminology

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Dutch gilt papers ( Dutch flowered papers )

A type of highly decorative papers that were not marbled but were printed by means of blocks of wood or metal, or by engraved rollers. They were used from about 1700, and, although known as "Dutch gilt" or "Dutch flowered," they were actually produced in Germany and Italy, the Dutch connection possibly arising from the fact that the papers were imported into Holland for reexport to France and England, although not all of them arrived in France and England by that route.

A great variety of designs was employed in these papers, many being in imitation of the brocades and damasks of the period. Some have figures of huntsmen, animals and birds, saints, mythological beasts, and Renaissance strap and scroll patterns; many arc embossed, and some are printed on colored paper.

The probable method of their execution consisted of transferring gold size to the paper by means of wooden plates or engraved rollers, the former first being pressed onto a pad saturated with the size, the latter having the size painted on. When the size on the paper had dried to the correct state, the gold was dusted on, and, when the size was dry, the superfluous gold was brushed off. If it was desired to have the gold raised the size was thickened with yellow ochre or red lead. The method of coloring is unknown, but it may have been done by dabbing or stencilling. (217 , 236 )




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