During the first millennium AD, gilding was of great importance for the decoration of ornaments in the Germanic area. With respect to archaeological finds, the different techniques used to produce them are hard to distinguish without scientific investigations. Nevertheless, it is possible to put forth some hypotheses regarding these methods on the basis of the analyses carried out so far, and the observation of typical attributes, like workmanship and choice of material.
The gilding techniques used for some fibulae and brooches are analysed exemplarily, and discussed together with the advantages and disadvantages related to their specific attributes, and changes in their technique and design during the first millennium AD.
In addition, the supply of raw materials and the correlations between gold imports into the Germanic area and the amount of gilded material are discussed. Leaf gilding is mainly used for the decoration of non-metallic items.
Nevertheless, it is possible to put forth some hypotheses regarding these methods on the basis of the analysis carried out so far, and the observation of typical attributes, like workmanship, as well as the choice and thickness of the material.
On archaeological objects, the gold foils that were attached to a substructure coated with glue Fig. On objects like ornaments, whose surface is frequently touched, a thin coating and a bond based on glue are less suitable because they can be easily removed Aufderhaar, 8.
