A gilder's tip is a wide, thin brush of sqirrel tail or sable hair.
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/ \ | thin cardboard handle
| | | approx 45mm / 1 3/4 in long
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||||||||||||||||| | approx 55mm / 2 1/4 in long
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approx 40mm
1 1/2 in wide
It is used to pick up gold leaf and transfer it to the surface to be gilded. Rub it briefly to build up a static charge, then lay the brush portion flat on the gold leaf. The leaf should stick to the hairs until it is laid on a surface of size (for ordinary gilding) or oil (for bookbinding).