Iraqi Silver and Niello Sugar Basin and Cover, circa 1930s
An Iraqi silver and niello sugar basin and cover, X-ray tested .925 silver, apparently unmarked, circa 1930s the heavy gauge twin-handled basin and cover, navette shaped with niello decoration in shaped reserves depicting dhow sailing boats and palm trees, a caravan of camels and other middle-eastern topographical scenes, the cover with floral decoration surrounded by a band of meander scroll, all raised on four ball feet, unmarked. Weight 493g height 3.15 in., length 7.68 in., width 3.74 in.
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- Circa - A Latin term meaning 'about', often used in the antique trade to give an approximate date for the piece, usually considered to be five years on either side of the circa year. Thus, circa 1900 means the piece was made about 1900, probably between 1895 and 1905. The expression is sometimes abbreviated to c.1900.
- Niello - A compound made up of lead silver copper and sulphur that is black in colour, and applied to the engraved areas of silver items, thus highlighting the engraving by making the black niello detail stand out from the silver background. It was used on edged weapons from the Renaisance onwards, and also by Russian crafstmen of the19th century.
- Navette - Navette, the French word for (weaver's) shuttle, means shuttle shaped, and is used to describe shapes in jewellery, ceramics and silver.
This item has been included into following indexes:
- Russian
