Ormolu was orginally the gilding of which metal in its nitrate form to copper, brass or bronze?
Ormolu Ormolu Ormolu (from French "or moulu", signifying ground or pounded gold) is an English term, used since the 18th century for the gilding technique of applying finely ground, high-carat gold–mercury amalgam to an object of bronze, and for objects finished in this way. The mercury is driven off in a kiln leaving behind a gold coating. The French refer to this technique as ""bronze doré""; in English, it is known as "gilt bronze". The manufacture of true ormolu employs a process known as mercury-gilding or fire-gilding, in which a solution of mercuric nitrate is applied to a piece of copper,
Gilding metal Gilding metal Gilding metal is a copper alloy, a brass, comprising 95% copper and 5% zinc. British Army Dress Regulations define gilding metal as “8 parts copper to 1 of zinc” (11% zinc). Gilding metal is used for various purposes, including the jackets of bullets, driving bands on some artillery shells, as well as enameled badges and other jewellery. The sheet is widely used for craft metalworking by hammer working. It is also used particularly as a lower-cost training material for silversmiths. Gilding metal may be annealed by heating to between . It should be cooled slowly afterwards, to reduce