Gilders Mops
The gilders mop is used to gently apply and settle metal leaf onto the prepared surface during the gilding process. Mops are also commonly used to dust away skewings, or excess fragments of leaf, particularly when working with oil gilded surfaces. Their soft bristles allow the gilder to smooth and secure the leaf without disturbing the delicate material.
Different hair types and shapes are suited to specific applications. Soft squirrel hair mops are ideal for working with genuine gold leaf surfaces, as they allow dusting and smoothing without scratching the leaf. Black goat hair mops are slightly firmer and are useful for tamping and dusting metal leaf, though they are not recommended for delicate genuine gold leaf. Oval mops are well suited for ornate or shaped surfaces, while square mops are most effective on flat areas. Pointed mops are designed for applying gilders liquor during traditional water gilding or when using the Kölner Gilding System.
