Important: Safety Warning
This page contains a formula or preparation using substances now known to be dangerously toxic, such as arsenic, mercury, lead, or cyanide compounds. Exposure to these substances can cause severe poisoning, permanent injury, or death.
In addition, this page describes trade processes that use dangerously toxic materials such as cyanide solutions, mercury amalgams, or strong acids. These processes require training, equipment, and precautions far beyond what the text describes.
This information has been left in for historical purposes but should not be acted upon.
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Grecian Gilding
Dissolve equal parts of sal-ammoniac and corrosive sublimate in nitric acid, and a solution of gold is to be made with the above mixture as a solvent; after slight concentration, the liquid is applied to the surface of silver, which immediately becomes black, but, on being heated, exhibits a rich gilded surface. or pipette (see No. 3831), fill it about onefourth with the liquid, and the other three parts must be filled with the very best sulphuric ether. If this be rightly managed, the two liquids will not mix. Then place the tube in a horizontal position, and gently turn it round with the finger and thumb. The ether will very soon be impregnated with the gold or platina, which may be known by its