niello

[ nee-el-oh ]

noun

, plural ni·el·li [nee-, el, -ee].

1. a black metallic substance, consisting of silver, copper, lead, and sulfur, with which an incised design or ground is filled to produce an ornamental effect on metal.
2. ornamental work so produced.
3. a specimen of such work.
4. a print on paper made from an incised metal plate before the application of niello and associated especially with 15th-century Italy.

verb (used with object)

, ni·el·loed, ni·el·lo·ing.

1. to decorate by means of niello; treat with niello or by the niello process.

niello

/ nɪˈɛləʊ /

noun

1. a black compound of sulphur and silver, lead, or copper used to incise a design on a metal surface
2. the process of decorating surfaces with niello
3. a surface or object decorated with niello

verb

1. tr to decorate or treat with niello

Derived Forms

• niˈellist, noun

Other Words From

• ni·ellist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of niello¹

1810–20; < Italian < Latin nigellus blackish, diminutive of niger black

Word History and Origins

Origin of niello¹

C19: from Italian from Latin nigellus blackish, from niger black

Example Sentences

It was of silver, but very beautifully engraved and adorned in Russian niello.

From Project Gutenberg

He was brought up to the hereditary profession of goldsmith and was early distinguished for his work in niello.

From Project Gutenberg

The date of the earliest known niello proof upon paper is 1452.

From Project Gutenberg

Then she unclasped her girdle, one of those narrow Russian ribbons of silver woven stuff, studded with niello.

From Project Gutenberg

The assertion that Niello was unknown to the ancients, it is unnecessary to refute here.

From Project Gutenberg