Iron Kapala with Niello Designs and Vajra Finial
You must be a subscriber, and be logged in to view price and dealer details.
Subscribe Now to view actual auction price for this item
When you subscribe, you have the option of setting the currency in which to display prices to $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.
- 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.
- Finial - An architectural decoration, found on the upper parts of of an object. On furniture they are usually found on pediments, canopies and shelf supports. On smaller ceramic or silver items, such as spoons, they may decorate the top of the item itself, or the lid or cover where they provide a useful handle for removal.
Finials have a variety of shapes and forms. They may be urn-shaped, baluster shaped round or spiral, but usually taper into an upper point. Many real life shapes may also be used as finials, such as pineapples, berries, pinecones, buds, lotus and acorns. Sometimes animals such as a lion are depicted, or fish and dolphins.
Visually similar items
Chinese metal seated Buddha, 28 cm high approx.
Two celadon jade figures, each in archaic style kneeling facing forward, wearing long robes and caps, the pale stones somewhat calcified, -2, 7 cm high, 6 cm high
William Edwards, Australian silver mounted emu egg with tree fern base & emu finial. Hallmarked on the foot. Height 29 cm
A Grainger Worcester reticulated vase and cover, late 19th century, the baluster body raised on a circular foot with finely pierced scroll work decoration and gilt highlights, 30 cm high, shape number G409, green printed factory mark