Niello Metal Teapot, India, Cashmere, End Of The 19th Century, Very Good Condition

Old teapot from India, more precisely from Kashmir with niello decoration of flowers and interlacing applied on the entire surface of this beautiful object.
Niello is a black substance made up of silver sulphide and boraxium to which lead and copper are sometimes added.
It is used to encrust certain metals. We generally deny gold, silver or copper (silver can be gilded afterwards).
The patterns and lines intended to be filled with niello are previously hollowed out in the piece of metal, then filled with silver sulphide paste and brought to the fire to melt the niello.
Once cooled and hardened, the niellated surface is polished to bring it to the same level as the metal.
The result obtained thus plays on the contrast of shiny black and white or yellow metal. We tried to achieve the same effect with other techniques. Niellure enamel, for example, consists of filling the hollows with dark blue enamel, leaving metal reserves.
False niellure is a modern technique consisting in entirely covering a metal plate with silver sulphide and in scratching the lines or surfaces which must keep their metallic appearance. The niellure technique is very old. The Romans also referred to it as enamel. From the 13th century, niellure, a luxurious and delicate technique, was frequently used for precious objects (cult objects, dishes). The niello is at the origin of the intaglio engraving. In fact, if we replace the niello by printing ink, we can make a proof on paper, fabric, etc.
From the 17th century, niello was hardly used except in eastern countries or in Russia; it will regain some favor during the 19th century.
The whole is in very good condition.
Dimensions: Height: 28.5 cm, Diameter: 16 cm, width: 27.5 cm, weight: 952 grs
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