05-02-2007, 05:35 PM
Quote:Niello is a complicated process. If one's plates, etc., were done with more modern enamel, would it ruffle anyone else's feathers?
The only real issue with respect to correct look when it comes to enamel is that it settles low and thus has a concave look- the picture Jef posted show it well. The process of Niello filling has a step near the end of using abrasive on the surface to bring it all level, so niello is flush with the surface of the piece it's filling. There's no way to correct this, albeit minor, issue, however I'm thinking that black-tinted epoxy might be a better and rather easier choice- no heating, easy mixing and application, and you can sand it down flush. Given real niello's difficulties (toxic, hard to do, etc.), and that enamel is already a sacrifice to authenticity, personally I see no reason that epoxy is any worse- better really when its considered that should replicate the look of niello better than enamel. Just my two sestertii of course :wink:
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