niello

/niˈɛloʊ/
verb
  1. To decorate (metal) with niello.
    • The craftsman will niello the silver tray with floral motifs.
    • They plan to niello the edges of the gold chalice for a richer look.
    • She learned how to niello copper jewelry in her metalworking class.
noun
  1. A black metallic alloy used to fill engraved designs on metal, especially silver, for decoration.
    • The artisan carefully applied niello to the silver bracelet to create intricate patterns.
    • She admired the dark contrast of the niello against the polished surface of the antique spoon.
    • Ancient Russian jewelry often features niello inlay on gold and silver pieces.
  2. The art or technique of decorating metal with niello.
    • He studied niello under a master silversmith in Florence.
    • The museum exhibit showcased the history of niello from the Middle Ages to the present.
    • Niello requires great skill to achieve clean, precise lines in the metal.
What does "niello" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean