da Vinci Series 450 Gilder's Mop, Size 6, Goat Hair

da Vinci Series 450 Gilder's Mop – Goat Hair Brush for Laying Gold Leaf

The da Vinci Series 450 gilder's mop in size 6 (art. no. 450-6) is a gilding brush for picking up, laying and pressing down gold leaf or imitation gold leaf (Dutch metal). The black goat hair is extra soft, so the brush picks up the delicate metal leaf without wasting any material.

The brush head is dense and oval, with a slightly blunt-cut top. This lets you reach into corners and edges as well. The hairs are set in red-dyed natural quills and mounted on an unvarnished handle. The brush is suitable for oil gilding and for tamping gold down onto well-sanded gesso.

Laying gold leaf with the gilder's mop

Before picking up the leaf, brush the hairs briefly across the heel of your hand or your hair. This lightly greases them, so the gold leaf clings to the brush. Pick up the leaf carefully with the tip of the brush, lay it on the prepared surface and press it down. For oil gilding, then go over the gold with the brush to tamp it down firmly. On gesso, the surface should be well sanded.

Care and handling

Keep the brush dry and free of grease until you deliberately grease it. Moisture makes the gold leaf stick to the hairs.

da Vinci Series 450 gilder's mop, size 6 product details

• Manufacturer: da Vinci, Series 450, art. no. 450-6
• Brush type: gilder's mop (gilding brush)
• Size: 6
• Brush width: approx. 12.4 mm
• Hair: black goat hair, extra soft
• Shape: dense, oval head, slightly blunt-cut top
• Mounting: red natural quills on an unvarnished handle
• Use: gilding with gold leaf and imitation metal leaf

You will also need: gold leaf or imitation metal leaf, plus the size (adhesive) that suits your gilding method.