My Damascene collection

My Damascene collection - a bracelet, a pin, earrings, and a powder compact. Given the craftmanship, I really wonder why these pieces are so inexpensive.

The earrings are marked, the mark says "ai" - maker later identified as Midas Toledo, Spain
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/196266-damascene-earrings

Damascening is the art of inlaying different metals into one another—typically, gold or silver into a darkly oxidized steel background—to produce intricate patterns similar to niello. The technique originates in Damascus Syria and became truly popular in Western Europe at end of 30s mainly through the Spanish and Japanese damascene works like this one. On Spain it was usual that the gold was got using "Oro Fino" or pure fine gold over the brass. The Spanish damascene has usually two themes; floral naturalist and abstract geometric.