Gilt leather
Leather wall covering with silver leaf and yellow varnish that makes it look like gold, pressed in relief.
Gilt leather came from Spain and Italy and in the 17th century became a speciality of Amsterdam and Mechelen. It was expensive but durable, did not absorb damp and kept out smells better than textiles.
In Sweden gilt leather survives in palaces and manor houses. Later imitations were made in embossed paper, and in the 19th century in Lincrusta.
Materials: Calfskin, silver leaf, yellow varnish and paint
Manufacture: The leather was silvered, varnished yellow so that the silver shone like gold, pressed in wooden moulds and painted; the panels were sewn together.
Panels of leather, sewn together.
Embossed relief with flowers, fruit and acanthus.
Yellowed varnish over silver – where it is worn the silver shows.