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Monday 7 October 2013

Goldbeaters House


The name and the arm are all that remain to hint to the passerby of the traditional industry that was carried out in this lane back in Dickinson days.
Gold beating was a craft that produced fine sheets of gold for gilding.  The process of beating was done by laying a small bar of gold on a stone of marble or granite and striking it with a 15 pound hammer at a  rhythm of 70 strikes a minute, sometimes taking several hours to produce the fine ribbons of gold that might be used for gilding a royal carriage.

7 comments:

Andy said...

That's an interesting and curious sight. It must have been strange to see the workers with one arm full of muscle and the other arm lacking in muscle. :)

biebkriebels said...

That is an interesting sign-board, you always have to look up in cities.

Adullamite said...

Good capture. An interesting sight to find.

MastHoliday said...

sounds a wonderful house! indeed, always find the interesting places to share with us..


Sharon said...

I love learning these little historical bits. I had no idea it was done this way. I guess I thought it was melted and molded. Very interesting.

LONDONLULU said...

Beating out a gold ribbon over several hours with 15 pound hammer? People worked hard back then! Cool bit of history.

Lawrence Kreger said...

You find such great stuff around London

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