Black Iron Vase

This iron vase has its ovoid body flattened and pierced. Its neck, body, and foot, of almost classic simplicity, have their blackened surfaces polished and lightly damascened in foliate patterns in alternating gold and silver. Silver-foil ribbons outline the ornamented areas. The two pierced panels are also ovoid and follow the profile of the body; their foliate ornament is enhanced with gold and silver wire damascene over a finely hatched background. The panels are framed by a border containing baroque foliage also damascened in gold and silver. The applied handles, in the shape of stylized leaves similarly decorated, are attached only at their base.