This is a special technique involving so-called burnish gold on porcelain. To add gilding to porcelain, gold(III) chloride was precipitated with oxalic acid or iron(II) sulphate and mixed with alkaline bismuth(III) nitrate as a flux. The resulting suspension was then applied to the porcelain and fired. It was dull after firing and had to be burnished. Patterns could be created by alternating matt with glossy areas. Gilded areas could also be engraved (i.e. the material was scratched off) before the vessels were fired, which allowed intricate patterns to be created.

Translation Sandy Haemmerle

German: Vergoldung, Poliergold mit Mustern

French: Dorure, Dorure travaillée à l’effet