For information on how the Chinese worked gold for jewelry and other objects, check out this series of videos from the Art Museum at the Chinese University of Hong Kong:
Gold wire and engraving: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCihYXMpX3M
Gold and silver inlay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIVSSXUQCc8
Splashing method: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06v1pY91AvU
Granulation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmLcRxly2iA&t=15s