niello
verbEtymology Borrowed from Italian niello, from Latin nigellus (“blackish”).
1
To decorate (a surface) using this technique.
niello
nounUK /niˈɛləʊ/ · US /niˈɛloʊ/
Etymology Borrowed from Italian niello, from Latin nigellus (“blackish”).
1
Engineering, Metallurgy, Natural sciences, Physical sciences Any of various black metal alloys, made of sulphur with copper, silver or lead, used to create decorative designs on other metals.
- a young woman named Renata, with a gesturing of her dark curls, beckoned him in with a cigarette-case of Russian silver and niello, which sprang open to reveal a collection of “smokes” […]2006, Thomas Pynchon, Against the Day, Vintage, published 2007, page 283:
2
An impression on paper taken from the engraved or incised surface before the niello alloy has been inlaid.
- Derived terms
- nielloware