niello
Niello is a decorative metalworking technique in which a black alloy is fused into engraved lines on a metal surface, producing a strong contrast with the surrounding metal. The traditional niello paste is an alloy of sulfur with metals such as silver, copper, and lead; formulations vary by region and period. It is commonly applied to base metals like silver, gold, or copper.
The process involves incising or engraving a design onto the metal surface, then filling the grooves with
Niello has ancient origins and was widely used in the Near East, the Roman world, and medieval
Etymology traces the word to Italian niello, from Latin nigellum, meaning black substance. Niello remains valued