The pink color you see is actually a undercoat called the Bowl, after that the sizing {adhesive} gets applied which is similar to a varnish, then come the sheets of gold , 23K to be exact. It took 7 books with 25, 3 3/8"x3 3/8" sheets in a book to cover this chair.
For antiquing I use Ben Moore Alkaid Glaze a few drops of lamp black and turps, keep the mixture very lucid. I apply the glaze with the tips of a soft brush in a blotting motion then with a soft cotton cloth balled up I blot the glaze as the glaze sets up I then powder the glaze with a umber powder and as it sets with a dry dusting brush a couple minutes later I take a light gray powder and dust. The drying time of the glaze is the main player, as the glaze dries it will retain only so much powder.
After the project is finished I use a can of Mohawk lacquer finish for protection. The chair will be off to the upholster, Rob if the upholster split the wood they would not be working for customers who are willing to spend the kind of money on one chair.
When you say brushed on gold leaf ? paint, cream, paste ? I'm using gold.. the sheets are 150 thousands of and inch thick. SO delicate that a slight puff of air will totally screw up one sheet in a heart beat LOL
When applying the gold the over lapping edges are used to segue the dusting into cracks not covered by the sheet. I use a Dare Devil to collect the segueing and retain them in a box. I will use a brush to apply the segueing to the hard to get to places around the carvings.