Design for a knife handle.
Niello
ca. before 1550
Engraving. Size of sheet: 6.8 x 2.2 cm.
Very fine, early rubbing. The image shows a crest next to two ornamental images of flowers.
“Niello” is a generic term but usually used in the context of niello prints or niello plates. The art of niello goes back to medieval times and was practiced by goldsmiths and armorers. Niello plates were used for decoration, often on knife handles, buckles and pendants among many others. Typically, nielli are executed on a very small scale and very detailed.
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