Gum mastic in fine powder is first dusted over the surface to be gilded. An iron or brass tool bearing the design upon its face is then heated to the proper temperature and gently pressed on a piece of leaf gold, which adheres to the tool. On pressing the tool lightly to the surface to be gilded the mastic softens and retains the gold. The loose gold and powdered mastic are then brushed off. Gold leaf will adhere to leather without mastic, but not so firmly as with it. To apply tinfoil or silver leaf, place on the part of the leather to be covered some size or white of an egg, and after pressing down the metal and drying, wash over with gold-colour lacquer. The following tools, etc., will be required. A long, thin knife, straight, and not too sharp; a wide thin brush, with camel hair about 3 in. broad; a pad for cutting the gold leaf, and a dabber, a small soft ball of cotton-wool enclosed in a square of muslin with its edges drawn together and tied to form a handle, and wheels and stamps of the shapes required.