The announcement of President Trump's plan to add a 90,000-square-foot ballroom to the White House has sparked discussions about the lavish use of gilding. Gold detailing, a favorite of Trump's, reflects a long-standing tradition of using gold to convey status. Originating in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, gilding has been employed to enhance the perceived value of objects since antiquity. Historical figures like Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette exemplify how powerful individuals have always expressed their status through opulent decorations and architecture.
Gilding has long been used to show status. It is thought to have been first used more than 4,000 years ago by the North African civilizations of Egypt and Mesopotamia, who adorned wood objects with gold foil so they would appear more valuable—and their owners more stately.
Gold's reputation as a precious, beautiful, and rare material has traditionally meant that those who could collect and use it for decor rather than money were among society's most important. Thus, gilt has been applied to all manner of ornaments and architectural detailing in the homes of the historical well-to-do.
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