ni·el·lo
nē-ˈe-(ˌ)lō 
plural nielli
nē-ˈe-(ˌ)lē
or niellos
or niellos
1
: any of several black enamel-like alloys usually of sulfur with silver, copper, and lead
2
: the art or process of decorating metal with incised designs filled with niello
3
: a piece of metal or an object decorated with niello
Examples of niello in a Sentence
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Nora McGreevy, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Dec. 2020
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Noun
Cleaning revealed the cross’ ornate decorations of black niello, or metallic alloy, and gold leaf.
—Nora McGreevy, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Dec. 2020
Cite this Entry
“Niello.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/niello. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.
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