Giusto Manetti Battiloro is a historic family business that has upheld the tradition of goldbeating in Florence, Italy for generations. With a dedication to excellence, they have become the leading global supplier of gold leaf.
15 Generations of Perfecting Tradition
The first mention of the Manetti family is back in the late fifteenth century, in the small village of Quinto in the Florentine Countryside. In the early 1600’s, the first of the Manetti lineage owned a workshop of gilders, engravers, decorators and gold beaters. They were trusted to restore the golden ball of the Florence Cathedral which cemented their place as master goldsmiths for generations.
With the arrival of the next generation of the Manetti family, the company continued to grow and innovate, remaining true to its long tradition of success.
Discover the variety of Gold Leaf, Gilding and Gilding accessories Giusto Manetti has to offer now available at Above Ground Art Supplies. Click on a product group to jump straight to it or continue to read to explore our wide selection of Giusto Manetti Gilding products.
Table of Contents
Genuine gold leaf is an extremely delicate sheet of precious metal, created by working a gold ingot through ten meticulous stages. Its remarkable thinness allows it to adhere to nearly any surface, making it perfect for gilding both rigid and flexible materials.
There are two main methods of applying gold leaf: water gilding, a traditional technique still used today for new creations as well as restoration of historical pieces, and oil gilding, a quicker and more straightforward approach where the leaf is placed directly onto an adhesive mixture of water, alcohol, or varnish.
For Timeless and Radiant Artwork
Giusto Manetti Battiloro Pure gold leaf is available in both loose and transfer formats.
Transfer Leaf remains on the backing paper until pressed onto a surface, while Loose Leaf requires careful handling with tools to cut and place it.
Imitation Leaf
In addition to Gold Leaf, Giusto Manetti offers a wide range of Imitation Leaf Products. The product is thicker than genuine gold leaf, making it easier to handle and apply. These qualities allow imitation leaf to be the perfect entryway to gilding for novices. Once applied, it’s advised to always protect imitation leaf with sealing to prevent tarnishing.
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Great for Novices or Professionals alike!
Giusto Manetti Battiloro Imitation Leaf is available in both loose and transfer formats.
Transfer Leaf remains on the backing paper until pressed onto a surface, while Loose Leaf requires careful handling with tools to cut and place it.
Water Gilding
Gypsum for gilders, rabbit skin glue and bole: water gilding is suggested to emphasize the three-dimensionality of the surfaces and is widely used in iconography, frames, period artefacts and above all in restoration, when it is necessary to integrate missing parts or damaged furniture.
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Powder gypsum (Gesso Di Bologna) and Ready Gesso are for the preparation of base materials for gouache gilding (priming).
Glue in flakes of animal origin, used as base element for the preparation of various gilding products including glue for the gouache technique.
Bole is a fine clay used as a base layer, it’s applied over a surface that has been prepared with gesso, creating a smooth foundation for gilding.
The ready-made acrylic bolo is already prepared and ready to use. Unlike the Italian Bole, there is no need to add an additional adhesive to the product.
Oil Gilding
Size is the common name assigned to the adhesives used for the application and gluing of the leaf, both in precious metal and imitation metal. Oil gilding sizes present in the range offered by Giusto Manetti Battiloro allow the application of the leaf on different types of surfaces and for gilding intended for both internal and external environments
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Suitable for interior gilding on wood, clay and stucco. Gilding glue for interiors on wood, clay and stucco. Available in the following sizes:
Gilding glue for interiors on wood, clay and stucco. Unlike the traditional water-based size, it allows to obtain a slightly yellower substrate. Available in the following sizes:
Gilding glue for wood, metal, glass or plastic surfaces (both indoor and outdoor). Available in 3hr and 12hr options, named after application time.
Sealing
The type of protective coating you choose depends on several factors: the surface material (such as wood, plastic, glass, or metal), the environment where the gilding will be displayed (indoors or outdoors), and the type of metal leaf used (precious or imitation). You can select from synthetic or acrylic coatings or use shellac—commonly applied in gilding to polish gold leaf, provide light surface protection, and seal porous surfaces before oil gilding.
Shop our Giusto Manetti Sealing Selection
Powder gypsum (Gesso Di Bologna) and Ready Gesso are for the preparation of base materials for gouache gilding (priming).
Glue in flakes of animal origin, used as base element for the preparation of various gilding products including glue for the gouache technique.
Bole is a fine clay used as a base layer, it’s applied over a surface that has been prepared with gesso, creating a smooth foundation for gilding.
The ready-made acrylic bole is already prepared and ready to use. Unlike the Italian Bole, there is no need to add an additional adhesive to the product.
From squirrel hair gilder’s tips, to cushions, to knives for cutting leaves to size; from mop brushes and burnishers for the application and finishing phases: Manetti offers a range of useful products for applying leaf and gild finishing.
Wooden tool with a polished agate stone tip designed for the polishing of gilding done with the gouache technique. Available burnishers:
Ideal for applying bole, these brushes are designed with soft, durable bristles to ensure an even application and to prepare surfaces for gilding
Metal knife to section leaves into smaller parts prior to application. It is also useful as a tool with which to transfer leaves from books to gilder’s cushions.
Cushions with a leather outer layer for leaf cutting prior to application.