Below are shown before and after pictures of several objects gold plated by Mark Erdmann and Cleveland Art Metals.
  



 Above left is a detail of 18 K gold plating on a highly polished surface.  Above right is the same object with a coat of matte lacquer over the gold plating.   The lacquer imitates the "dead colour" of Matthew Boulton ormolu without the use of etchants or abrasives.  Gold plating by Mark Erdmann at Cleveland Art Metals.

Pair of ormolu candelabras.  One candelabra was missing an arm and the socket adaptor that holds the arm.  A mold was taken from the original parts and new ones were cast in brass.  After hand chasing, the parts were gold plated to match the original color.  The detail picture above right shows the original ormolu arm on top with the replacement casting with gold plating on bottom.