niello

ni·el·lo  (n-l)

n. pl. ni·el·li (-l) or ni·el·los

1. Any of several black metallic alloys of sulfur with copper, silver, or lead, used to fill an incised design on the surface of another metal.

2. A surface or object decorated with one of these alloys.

3. The art or process of ornamenting metal surfaces with one of these alloys.

tr.v. ni·el·loed, ni·el·lo·ing, ni·el·los

To decorate or inlay with niello.

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[Italian, from Medieval Latin nigellum, from neuter of Latin nigellus, diminutive of niger, black; see nek^w-t- in Indo-European roots.]

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ni·ellist n.

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niello [nɪˈɛləʊ]

n pl -li [-lɪ], -los

1. (Fine Arts & Visual Arts / Art Terms) a black compound of sulphur and silver, lead, or copper used to incise a design on a metal surface

2. (Fine Arts & Visual Arts / Art Terms) the process of decorating surfaces with niello

3. (Fine Arts & Visual Arts / Art Terms) a surface or object decorated with niello

vb -los, -loing, -loed

(Fine Arts & Visual Arts / Art Terms) (tr) to decorate or treat with niello

[from Italian from Latin nigellus blackish, from niger black]

niellist  n