Crossword-Solution: NIGELLUM 8 letters, 2 clues 🏆 scrabble score: 11

The method was to cut with the chisel upon the silver whatever history, portrait, or flowers, was required,[91] and afterwards to fill up the hollow part of the engraving with a mixture of silver and lead, which, from its dark colour, was called, by the ancients, _nigellum_, which our countrymen curtailed into niello; a substance which, being incorporated with the silver, produced the effect of shadow, contrasted with its clearness, and gave to the entire work the appearance of a chiaroscuro in silver.

The Italian goldsmiths, who, before running their enamel (_nigellum_) into the ornamented and engraved gold, tried the effect of their work by staining paper or linen, and by the impressions (_nielli_) which the engraved surface when first washed with colouring matter would produce, no more anticipated the extraordinary development which their chance trials would receive, than could the early printers have prophesied the marvels of the modern printing-press.