Peacock Textile Handbag with Green Jade, Neilloware, Scarab and Diamond

Japanese silk designed with Peacock inspired motifs, crafted beautifully into a handbag, with a Gold Niello artwork frame. The handle is made from Crazy Wood, covered with scarab wings and Gold Leaf.  The lock of the bag is a green Jade, held onto the bag with Diamond studded petals. The bag stands on Gold plated sterling silver stands. The bag is compliment with the Sterling Silver Japanese comb with a nice comb pouch.

Gold nielloware is a traditional a Thai art form dates back to at least the Ayutthaya period (1351-1767). The technique involves the craftsmen carving a design into silver (various metals can be used) and working with Gold and mercury to fill the relief, leaving the lower part for black and the raised relief for the Gold. Heat by way of fire gilding is then applied to expose the mercury, leaving the Gold behind, after which, it would then be sanded smooth and buffed whereby the colours end up as a uniform finish. Fire gilding lasts many more years than electro-gilding or electro galvanizing. In Thailand, most temple or roof tops in Gold are done with Niellowork because it lasts for hundreds of years. Long associated with Nakhon Si Thammarat province, these items were traditionally tribute to the court of Bangkok that were subsequently redistributed by the king to high-ranking noblemen. Niello was also used in Ancient Egypt and Rome on a variety of objects including sword hilts, chalices, plates, horns, adornment for horses.