Iridescent Persian Medallion Bowl by Fenton

• Gilding - Gilding is a method of ornamentation whereby a thin sheet of gold metal is applied to items made of wood, leather, ceramics, glass and silver for decorative purposes.
  
  For furniture including mirrors, the sheet of gold is usually applied over a coating of gesso. Gesso is a mixture of plaster of Paris and gypsum mixed with water and then applied to the carved wooden frames of mirrors and picture frames as a base for applying the gold leaf. After numerous coats of gesso have been applied, allowed to dry and then sanded a coat of "bole", a usually red coloured mixture of clay and glue is brushed on and allowed to dry, after which the gold leaf is applied. Over time parts of the gilding will rub off so the base colour can be seen. In water gilding, this was generally a blue colour, while in oil gilding, the under layer was often yellow. In Victorian times, gilders frequently used red as a pigment beneath the gold leaf.
  
  Metal was often gilded by a process known as fire gilding. Gold mixed with mercury was applied and heated, causing the mercury to evaporate, the long-term effect of which was to kill or disable the craftsman or woman from mercury poisoning. The pursuit of beauty has claimed many victims, not the least of which were the artists who made those pieces so highly sought after today.
• Irridescent Glass - Iridescent glass has a shimmering or rainbow-like appearance due to the way it reflects light. It is created by applying a thin layer of metal oxides to the surface of the glass while it is still hot and malleable, which then creates an interference effect that produces a range of colours as the light reflects off the surface. The exact colours and patterns created by iridescent glass depend on the specific types of metal oxides used and the techniques used to apply them.
  
  Iridescent glass was first developed in the late 19th century, and quickly became popular for use in decorative art glass and stained glass windows. Some of the most famous examples of iridescent glass were created by artists such as Louis Comfort Tiffany and his studio, who used it extensively in their distinctive lamps, vases, and other decorative objects.
  
  

This item has been included into following indexes:

• carnival glass, colours - blue 33
• carnival glass, items - dishes and bowls 284
• Fenton Art Glass Company (United States) - carnival glass, makers 21