Medieval Objects in Gold and Its Imitation from Eski-Kermen

摘要

The paper presents the analysis of gold and gilded objects retrieved from the complexes of the 13th century and the first half of the 14th century during excavations of a medieval settlement (hillfort gorodishche) on the Eski-Kermen plateau (Republic of Crimea, Bakhchisarai district, Krasny Mak village). The study examines the quality of gold used for jewelry making. Two processes of applying a coating of gold to surfaces have been identified, namely, fire-(or amalgam-) gilding and gluing very thin sheets of gold (gold leaf), which depended on the size, shape, and intended purpose of the objects.