Kubachi Niello Drinking Horn

The most important silver and metal manufacture tradition in the Caucasus region was Kubachi, a former mining village with generations of craftsmen producing the finest ‘niello’ silverware and pottery in the history of the region. The ‘niello’ technique is applied on silver. A silver object is engraved or chiseled and filled with a dark metal, mostly sulphur, which is polished afterwards to create a contractual effect.

In Dagestan history, the ceremonial drinking horn was of great importance. These ritual horns were originally made for tribe leaders, while later in during the 19th and 20th century, it became more accessible for the wealthy. The ceremonial drinking horns were initially ment for drinking wine, with the silver adding a specific taste to it.

Our example:

Presumably made out of yak-horn, due to its shape and typical translucent brown colour and shape. The horn was covered in thick chiseled silver fittings with ‘niello’ inlayed floral designs and foliage. The back features an arabasque mark which could indicate the maker. The lower fitting shows similar decoration and spreads out like a beak. A wonderful example which once belonged to a wealthy man.