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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;AuDragon, post: 363482, member: 6974&quot;]Hi Hollyblue,</p><p>I respectfully disagree with your assessment and I repeat, I do not believe this image was ever “covered”in gold. Perhaps we see the photographs differently. There are traces of gold in the areas you mentioned, but some would have been applied by brush, outlining details of the image. For example, the creases in the arms/jacket would have simulated the folds in the fabric. Likewise, around the neck and the ears, the painted gilt is designed to bring a human touch to the Buddha. The hair has had gold applied, probably by brush, but might have also had leaf applied later (although the top of the head is regarded as the most holy place on the body and is unlikely to have been touched).</p><p>The gold leaf on the base matches the shape of the gold leaf patches I mentioned and was probably applied at the time the charm or devotion was written at a later stage The gold would be there to seal the request or prayer. </p><p>The gold traces on the front of the base are in a 5 then 4 then 3 pyramid shape representing a stupa&nbsp; or temple spire, also very common in Thailand and Burma. Enlarging that area of the image I just do not see further traces of gilt. I have perhaps a dozen gilt, carved, alabaster, timber type images in my collection and have been visiting this area of Asia for more then 20 years. I would love to add this one to my collection, it’s so amazing. <img src="styles/default/xenforo/smilies/smile.png" class="mceSmilie" alt=":)" unselectable="on" /> I’m also very happy to learn more about this image and others that come along, and the gilt process. Thanks all.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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