The traditional and manual production of gold leaf in Mandalay is done by hammering, flattening the to ultra thin leaves (fig.). To separate the leaves, the gold is placed in between special bamboo paper on top of each other. This bundle of bamboo paper and gold is held together by a leather wrap made from deer-hide and a two bamboo sticks on the sides, that are used to help attach the bundle to a fixed point while beating (fig.).