The word Parcel-Gilt was first used in 1453 during the Middle English period and known somewhat later in 1519 as Parcel Gilding. It describes the practice of gilding only parts, or partial areas of an object, an approach that dates back to at least the middle of the 15th century in Western Europe and likely earlier in other areas of the world such as China where bronze elements were gilded for furniture, a technique known as Ormolu.

Parcel derives from the French word Parcelle, which refers to a small part or plot of land, which for gilding extended to mean small areas of an object that are gilded as opposed to an entire surface. Parcelle in turn derives from the Late Latin Particella, a diminutive of Particula and then a diminutive of Pars (meaning Part).

If we go back in history a bit to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, French became the language of the Court. The mixing of language through the early to late Middle English period paved the way for the English language being heavily influenced by the French language. (Long ago as a young man of 20 I spent a Summer in England in a little Hamlet called Ashburnham next to the small Village of Battle where the Battle of Hastings took place all those years ago. It was during this trip that I hopped a ferry to Calais and a long bus ride bus to Paris and the Palace of Versailles, unknowing at the time how this would all later inform my career as a gilder).

Any project that incorporates gilding only specific sections of an object can be considered Parcel-Gilding. It may not always be considered as such but I suspect that’s because of the context of the origins of the word Parcel-Gilding being born of Middle English. Nonetheless, this approach to gilding can be seen in a variety of examples, one being a project of mine where I Oil Gilded a Sacred Altar for the Hare Krishna Community at the Vedic Cultural Center in Sammamish, Washington. The Altar with its deeply carved  ornamental wood imported from India, stood 12 feet high and 20 feet wide. It kept me busy for months on a scaffold as I listened to the soothing chants and sounds of bells and tablas.

To provide aesthetic contrast the decision was to gild only the Relief Accents of the Altar which consisted of highly adorned Pillars, a multi-step Platform, and two-tier Dome requiring 1,000 leaves of 24kt Gold Leaf, the purity of gold chosen for respect for Krishna.

Parcel-Gilding is a considered approach for many gilding projects, from Decorative Objects and Boiserie (highly carved relief in Wall Paneling, popular in 17th-18th century France) to Frames and Furniture. It can provide an air of elegance and contrast without visually overtaking an object or room. It can also provide a cost-effective approach in design planning where cost is a consideration while maintaining an essence of quality.

To help further the growth and understanding of historical gilding practices I am offering a new three-part Online Series called: Exploring the Technique of 15th-16thc Parcel-Gilding. Students will also learn practical gilding techniques through Demonstrations of Parcel-Gilding on Decorative Objects using the Oil Gilding Method and 22k Gold Leaf. ~

When I left Whidbey Island this past April to teach in New Zealand it was early Spring. When I landed in Auckland and Christchurch it was early Autumn and now that I’m back it’s Spring again! But it was timed such that the seasons were actually similar, but an intriguing experience nonetheless, one that I hope that you can enjoy with me in New Zealand next April where I’ll be conducting three classes: Gilding For Works of Art, Glass Gilding: An Introduction to Verre Églomisé, and a Special 2-Day Introduction to Traditional Water Gilding for Frames and Panels.

Gilding is such a diverse art form that offering these separate classes can be the best way to meet the needs of students who may work in different mediums, whether incorporating gilding into their own work as Fine artists or as picture framers, furniture makers, illuminators, glass artists, or those in mixed-media. So it’s an intriguing experience exploring the different options, both rooted in ancient techniques as well as Contemporary approaches.

The Works of Art class will cover the challenges of combining gilding with another medium such as painting, whether oils, acrylics, pastels, watercolors, or egg tempera and how to make it all work together. 

Glass gilding is how I began my career 40 years ago working at Saks Fifth Avenue in New York. I enjoy creating gilded mirrors as well as gold and silver leafed glass objects along with the other numerous methods and techniques of gilding. We’ll be exploring etching into the leaf from behind so you’ll have a good foundation for Verre Églomisé. Gilding behind the glass is also the first step for those wanting to apply their signwriting skills to gild on glass.

We’ll finish the week with two enjoyable days of Traditional Water Gilding for Frames and Panels. While the method of water gilding for picture frames is the same for gilded egg tempera painted panels as done in 14th - 18thc Florence and Siena, there are some variances in approach and a different history associated with them. The two-day class is shorter than the typical three-day class that I do so your frames and panels will be pre-gessoed and ‘clayed’ though we’ll still address the elements of gesso-making and laying a Clay Bole Ground on day two. 

As a place to study, you’ll love the environment of Te Matatiki Toi Ora | The Arts Centre in Christchurch. It’s somewhat like a self-contained town square where it was the home of the University of Canterbury and where where its students still study at the Music and Art Departments (I enjoy listening to their pianos while strolling the grounds in the evening). Our studio where we’ll be gilding is known as The Maker Workshop, just steps away from the beautifully restored Observatory Hotel. The Lumière Cinema is right there across the way if, like me you like catching an Independent film and a cappuccino!

Early Registration is now Open with a Discount available through August 1, 2025. It will then remain open until sold out. Gilding For Works of Art in New York in June has sold out so early registration is encouraged. And taking that long flight to Christchurch meant that I was able to watch all the movies on the plane that I missed! From there it’s just a quick 20 minute Uber to The Arts Centre. ~