User:Mike G King

Angel Gilding
Definition a technique for second-surface chemical gilding on a transparent substrate that places a silver mirror behind it to reflect through the gold

Difference From Leaf Gilding
Because chemical gilding makes a thin, almost transparent layer, it is necessary to back the mirror with another surface to make it opaque. If that backing is not reflective, the gold mirror is thin and watery in appearance. By backing it with a silver mirror, more light is reflected and the gold takes on a brilliant, rich appearance.

Origin of the Term
The sign-maker Rick Glawson referred to this term in the July, 1988 issue of Signs of the Times magazine as having been based on a technique patented by Felix O. Andres of San Francisco. This in turn dates to the early 20th century as a technique used to make brilliant advertising signs. Major users of such signs were the distilling and brewing industries although Prohibition in the 1920s significantly reduced this trade.

Current Practitioners
Angelgilding.com