LeFranc Clay Bole Base

Traditional Wet Clay for Professional Water Gilding

LeFranc Burnishing Clay is a premium French bole base formulated specifically for traditional water gilding. Renowned for its exceptional fineness and consistency, this clay creates an ideal foundation for laying and burnishing genuine gold leaf, allowing the gilt surface to be compacted to a brilliant, mirror-like finish.

Available in three traditional bole colors, LeFranc Clay is supplied pre-mixed with water into a smooth paste, saving preparation time while giving experienced gilders full control over their final bole formulation. Its refined texture promotes excellent adhesion, clean burnishing, and superior surface clarity.

To function as a true bole, this clay must be combined with a protein-based binder. LeFranc Burnishing Clay contains no binder and must be mixed with rabbit skin glue, hide glue, or gelatin glue before application. This allows the gilder to adjust strength, absorbency, and working characteristics to suit individual techniques and environmental conditions.

LeFranc Clay is ideal for frames, panels, icons, architectural details, and restoration work where authentic traditional methods and professional results are required.

Note: This product contains no binder. A glue size (rabbit skin, hide, or gelatin glue) is required to create a usable bole paste.