This guide is to inform buyers of Chinese antique items that are listed as solid gold or hammered gold. Some are also listed as Tang Dynasty solid gold. Recently there have been many of these items listed as solid gold in one form or another. They are usually water droppers and or vases. Some of the gold painted silver items are covered with granulation which is still a difficult process to achieve today. Most of these items listed as solid gold are in fact silver or bronze with a gold powder covering mixed with resin or lacquer that has been painted on. Some are antique but most are not gold. Most often they are listed for several thousand dollars for the item or for the shipping charges. Look for any discoloration on the item which would come from the base metal under the gold plating. Gold does not discolor. Using a paint remover may not work on the resinous painted covering. One can also tell buy the weight of the item which will feel very light in comparison to actual gold. Only a few tombs have been discovered with several solid gold items.
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