niello UK /niˈɛləʊ/US /niˈɛloʊ/noun 2verb 1forms 4 noun2 •Any of various black metal alloys, made of sulphur with copper, silver or lead, used to create decorative designs on other metals.a young woman named Renata, with a gesturing of her dark curls, beckoned him in with a cigarette-case of Russian silver and niello, which sprang open to reveal a collection of “smokes” […] — 2006 •An impression on paper taken from the engraved or incised surface before the niello alloy has been inlaid. verb1 •To decorate (a surface) using this technique. formsnielloed · nielloing · niellos · nielli
