A magnificant gilt leather collection of 50 pieces is shown at the Shoe & Leather Museum Waalwijk (NL). Works from the 16th century Spanish ‘guadameci’ until the late 19th century gilded leather from the formal Dutch-Indian colonies are on display.
Gilded leather probably found its origin in the present Libië (North Africa) and later on was introduced, trough Spain and France, into the Netherlands. The first gilt leather-craft shop for wall covering and furniture in the Nord of Holland was founded in 1612.
The name is a little misleading, 'gilt' leather has notting to do with gold, but with silver. The tensioned leather sheets are covered with a layer of silver leaf. To ensure the silver is not going to oxidize, it is covered with 2 layers of varnish. So the 'golden' appearance actually comes from the silver which shines trough the varnish.
In exceptional cases clear varnish was used, allowing the silver colour to be preserved. But even then, the term Gilt leather is used.
The leather obtains its three-dimensional appearance by embossing a pattern using a wooden or metal mould and refining the surface with decorative textures, stamped or punched into the leather. To finish it off, colour was added to the design, according to the taste of the customer. Colour shades went from monotonous to multicoloured, either opaque or translucent in hue.
Besides wall hangings gilt leather was used for many other items including folding screens, covers for furniture such as chairs, and made into religious vestments and altar frontals.
