Niello and rose gold etui

Lovely, fine quality sterling silver etui decorated using the Niello technique. The niello technique was created by cutting a design in a gold or silver object and then filling in the design with a powder usually made of red copper, silver, lead, sulfur, and borax. When heated, the powder melted and filled in the design. The workmanship on this etui is superb and required considerable skill and time.  The interior still retains its original gold wash.  Austrian in origin, it may have been used as a calling card box or for cigarettes. It would make a great business card holder! Niello is also called Tula in parts of Europe.

Dimensions: 3/8 inch by 2 and 3/4inches by 3 and 2/3 inches or 1 cm by 7.2 cm by 9.5 cm

Condition: excellent

Year: 1890-1910

Reference number: 9397

Price: $375