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The term gilding covers a number of decorative techniques for applying fine precious and semi precious  metal leaf  to solid surfaces such as wood or painted surfaces, to give a thin coating of metal leaf which is hammered into thin sheets ready to be applied. This metal leaf may be precious metals, like fine deep gold, white gold, paladium or real silver or semi precious, composite gold, silver and copper. A gilded object is described as "gilt". There are several methods for gilding but all involve hand application. A slow drying varnish glue or 'size'  is applied to the surface and allowed to tack up before the thin sheets of metal are appied to the surface.
The following samples show just a few of many variations of finish and applications for gilding.
This is the gilding intro blurb that starts out on the home page.
What is gilding
What type of leaf is it
what are the choices in finish color and  sheen
areas examples
history statement
contemporary uses
process description
how to prep the surface
value
there are links to a hidden page that has more info on each like terms etc that I add over time not needed yet but as I can I add links and info and eventually a blog...
igild therefore ishine!

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