Background/Story
The Armenians were famous for their Niello work. To this day Niello is known as ‘Van Work’ in the region, after the capital of Vaspurakan, now in eastern Turkey, where the best Niello was made. These items were usually intended as decorative appliques, particularly on men’s belts or horse harnesses.
A Collector’s Guide to Peasant Silver Buttons, p. 58, additional information courtesy of Jane Perry.
