Manetti > Type S Bole Paste
Manetti Type S Bole Paste
Giusto Manetti Firenze · Since 1820
A refined Florentine clay ground for traditional water gilding: depth, warmth, reliable leaf adhesion, and a true mirror burnish.
Type S Bole creates the compact, polishable ground that supports fine gold and silver leaf work on gessoed wooden supports.
A ground worthy of the leaf it carries
Type S Bole is a clay-based ground for water gilding. It lays down a uniform, compact, polishable layer that holds metal leaf cleanly, deepens the burnish, and lends applied gold a warm chromatic depth.
A deeper burnish
Controlled granulometry creates a dense, even ground that polishes to a reflective finish.
Dependable adhesion
The compact surface grips gold and silver leaf cleanly, reducing faults and waste.
Warmth and depth
The natural clay base shapes the visible tone and character of the finished leaf.
Consistent workability
A refined mineral composition spreads smoothly under the brush for repeatable results.
Choose the bole color
The ground beneath the leaf changes how the finished metal reads: warmer, brighter, deeper, or more controlled.
Red
Classic warm undertone.
Yellow
Bright, luminous ground.
Black
Depth and contrast.
White
Neutral, controlled tone.
How Type S Bole is worked
Type S Bole is binder-free by design. The gilder activates it with a protein glue, traditionally rabbit-skin glue, controlling consistency and performance for the work at hand.
- Prepare a clean, dry, smooth gessoed wood surface.
- Mix roughly 45 g bole with 90–95 g water and 2–3% rabbit-skin glue, adjusted for conditions.
- Brush on thin, controlled coats for a regular surface.
- Apply metal leaf while sufficiently moist, then dry and burnish.
Frequently asked
Does Type S Bole contain a binder?
No. It is binder-free, letting the gilder control the mix with a protein glue such as rabbit-skin glue.
Which color should I choose?
Red is traditional and warm. Yellow keeps gold bright. Black adds depth and contrast. White gives a neutral, controlled tone.
What surfaces is it for?
Traditional water gilding on wooden supports prepared with gesso.
How do quotes work?
Add relevant leaf and supply items to the Quote Basket or contact SeppLeaf with project details.
