Large silver-plated cufflinks with niello, circa 1890

Cellini's recipe

Large silver-plated cufflinks with niello, circa 1890

€ 189.00 ^*

Content 1 piece

Incl. VAT, Shipping

Description

This description was automatically translated from German. If you have any questions about this piece of jewellery, we will be happy to help!

The Florentine Benvenuto Cellini (1500 - 1571) was one of the most talented goldsmiths of all time. He wrote two treatises on the art of goldsmithing, which were published during his lifetime in 1568. In these treatises, he describes an ancient technique that allows gold or silver surfaces to be inlaid with dark, almost bluish shimmering inlays that are very resistant and durable. The technique is reminiscent of inlay work in furniture art. This pair of cufflinks was made around 1890. The large round buttons feature a decorative checkerboard pattern, executed in the fine niello technique as described by Cellini. Folding toggles make them easy to put on. The buttons are in very good condition and found their way to us here in Berlin. A wearable and decorative piece of jewelry history!

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Niello decorations can already be found on 3,000-year-old Egyptian jewellery. From later times, niello is geographically very widespread, technical perfection was achieved particularly in Italy during the Renaissance, so it is not surprising that the godfather of all goldsmiths, Benvenuto Cellini, handed down a recipe for the production of niello: Cellini prescribes 1 ounce of silver, 2 ounces of copper and 3 ounces of lead for the dark mass. The amount of sulphur also required is not specified. According to Pliny, the Egyptians are said to have made this mass from equal parts silver and sulphur and 1/3 copper. These ingredients are repeatedly melted together until the black mass, which disintegrates into globules as it cools, has a uniform structure. It is then crushed and the metal to be nielloed, which has been moistened with water and a little borax, is completely covered with it. The niello is then melted over glowing coals, but scraped away after cooling so that only the recessed areas of the plate remain filled with it. Finally, the whole thing is ground down and polished. This creates a contrast between the black filled areas and the shiny metal surfaces.

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Size & Details

Cellini's recipe

€ 189.00 ^*

Content 1 piece

Incl. VAT, Shipping

Our Promise

We want you to be 100% satisfied! For that reason, we examine, describe and photograph all of our jewellery with the utmost care.

You can rely on our years of experience in the trade and our expertise as a professional art historians for reviews of the antique jewellery. As a member of various trade organisations and the British Society of Jewellery Historians, we remain committed to the highest possible degree of accuracy. In our descriptions, we always also indicate any signs of age and defects and never hide them in our photos – this saves you from any unpleasant surprises when your package arrives.

Should you for some reason not be satisfied, please don’t hesitate to contact us so that we can find a solution together. In any case, you can return any article within one month and we will refund the full purchase price.

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Cellini's recipe

Cufflinks

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