Dutch Gilt - Metal Printed Papers
DUTCH GILT are exquisitely made decorative papers.
Historically, these papers were made in Germany in the 18th century and were used for book covers, endpapers and as fun papers for children. The term "Dutch" either refers to the country of export or was simply a mispronounciation of "Deutsche", no one really knows!
A great variety of designs, many imitations of the brocades and damasks of the period were created. Some have figures of huntsmen, animals and birds, saints, mythological beasts, and Renaissance strap and scroll patterns; many are embossed, and some are printed on colored paper.
The precise original process used to create these is not fully known - the probable method consisted of transferring gold size (a type of adhesive) to the paper by means of wooden plates or engraved rollers, the former first being pressed onto a pad saturated with the size, the latter having the size painted on. When the size on the paper had dried to the correct state, the gold was dusted on, and, when the size was dry, the superfluous gold was brushed off. If it was desired to have the gold raised the size was thickened with yellow ochre or red lead. The method of coloring is unknown, but it may have been done by dabbing or stencilling.
Today they are made in Scotland by J&J Jeffery with hand carved lino plates, a high pressure printing press and the correct meteorological conditions (no joke!)
The patterns and designs are copies of, or influenced by patterned, decorative papers found in books made from the 1600s onwards including French Papiers Dominotes, Italian woodblock prints and of course, the original Dutch Gilt patterns from Germany.
These prints are made on a variety of paper from modern paper through to ancient 16th century handmade paper on plain, tinted and stenciled multi-colour backgrounds.
