Nativity

Niello, 1500 circa.

Magnificent work, printed on contemporary laid paper without watermark, in excellent condition.


The niello is a particular technique to work metals; is a kind of engraving with a decoration on a black background realized through a mix of copper, silver, lead and sulphur.

The niello started in Florence, in the XV century, the history of Italian engravings, straight from the Florentine tradition of goldsmiths.

Passavant described it in his Duchesne catalogue, in 1828. Excellent example of a rare work.