The Gilded Age and why for many a year it has been good to be glam

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The Gilded Age and why for many a year it has been good to be glam

November 21, 2008

Today's post is from guest blogger Cindy Cragg, home stylist for WILLIAMSBURG®, williamsburgmarketplace.com, the lifestyle brand of The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.

We’ve been hearing a lot lately about how metallics are “in” but take a browse through a decorative arts museum or a quick Google search and you’ll see that all that glitters has been popular for a long time. Gilding, the art of embellishing a hard surface by applying gold to it, dates back approximately 4,000 years.

Gilding of wood surfaces was particularly popular in the Baroque and Neoclassical eras of the 17th and 18th centuries. During the 18th century, gilding skills became more advanced to reflect the simple and graceful decorative style of the time.

Gilding provides an “antiqued” finish that is still very popular today and is often incorporated into architectural elements on buildings, wooden frames, cabinetry and ceramics.

Gilded Ribbon Mirror williamsburgmarketplace.com

For a more whimsical decorative look that is reminiscent of this ancient process, holiday decorations often incorporate “gilded” shapes and textures from nature.

Gold Bay Leaf Wreath williamsburgmarketplace.com

Historically, gilding would not have been applied to an “everyday” kitchen item but how nice that we have the choice in modern times to enjoy a look that was accessible only to the wealthy in a way that adds just the right amount of glamour to our home or holiday decor.

The “golden” or “gilded” pitcher used in the WILLIAMSBURG bouquet is that right touch of glam!