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apply
gold leaf to the ornamental parts of the gondola. They
work in the finishing and decoration phase together with the intagiadóri.
The more luxurious the gondola – luxury, ceremonial or wedding – the
more the indoradór’s work is called for. Gilding can be carried
out on fixed parts of the gondola, such as the bow fiubóni (boards
joined with an edge that cover the ends of the boat) for which the indoradór
works at the squero (boatyard), and removable parts that can be
gilded at the indoradór’s workshop. This is the case for the fódre
(lònghe e curte - long and short), the thin boards that cover the
inner part of the edge of the boat, or for the portèla a spigolo,
the decorative board placed opposite the passengers. Gilding
is also carried out on the parécio, the seats for the passengers:
for example the cimièr, a decorative element of the back of the
central seats, or the careghini, the movable chairs The
decorations vary insubject: spirals, interwoven leaves, coats of arms,
cupids or other mythological figures. The styles are also varied,
including styles as recent as Art Nouveau, but most are in ‘barocchetto’.
Religious motifs are never used. |
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The
gilding used on the gondola requires a special technique, called ‘doratura
a mordente’ (mordant gilding) which is resistant to the water and
the saltiness of the lagoon. The piece to be gilded is prepared with a
yellow coat for external use and with a layer of oil-based mordant. A
delicate ‘ritual’ follows: the ‘book’ of gold leaf (taken from a
sheet prepared by the battilòro using hammer and mallet) is laid
on a leather cushion. The leaves are ‘opened’ by blowing (they
should never be touched!), held using a special knife, placed on a
cushion and cut. Using a penéta (a brush with marten hairs or
vair) rendered electrostatic by rubbing, the gold leaf is picked up and
placed on the piece. When the piece is completely covered, it is gently
beaten with the brush. The art of gilding takes years of practice in the workshop to master. The indoradóri, together with the intagiadóri (engravers), specièri (mirror makers), miniadóri (miniaturists)… made up the ancient art of depentóri (painters), whose statute dates back to 1271. |
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associazione 'el felze' - san marco 430 - 30123 venezia - italy |  |