A decorative technique for applying a thin coating of gold to the surface of an object made of  metal, wood, ceramic, glass or stone. Gilding gives an object the appearance of gold at a fraction of the cost of solid gold. Methods of gilding include fire-gilding, gluing, chemical gilding and electroplating. Video here.

Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara (detail). Gilded wood. Korea. Goryeo period. Ca. 1220-1285. National Museum of Korea, Seoul.