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.

LeFranc Charbonnel clay bole for gilding

Traditional Red - Rouge

3155/L $ 73.00
LeFranc Clay Base Liter - Red
Red LeFranc Clay

LeFranc Charbonnel clay bole for gilding

Traditional Yellow - Jaune

3160/L $ 73.00
LeFranc Clay Base Liter - Yellow
Yellow LeFranc Clay

LeFranc Charbonnel clay bole for gilding

Traditional Black - Noire

3170/L $ 73.00
LeFranc Clay Base Liter - Black
Black LeFranc Clay

More Traditional Water Gilding products

Animal Hide Glue

Animal Hide Glues

Gelatin Size

Gelatin Size

Gesso

Gesso

quill brushes

Agate Burnishers

Agate Stone Burnishers for polishing

Kolner Insta Clay

Gilding Tools


Product Description

Burnishing Clay - LeFranc Traditional BOLE - LeFranc burnishing clay (French) creates an exceptional gilding surface for all Traditional Water Gilding applications. LeFranc Burnishing Clay is available in three traditional colors, premixed with water. All of these burnishing clays must be mixed with rabbit skin, hide glue or gelatin glue before applying.

This product is available to ship immediately. All our clay bole products are shipped fully insured via UPS.

Related Products