These trinkets, in a shop window in Toledo, are examples of the art of damascening. This involves inlaying different metals into one another—typically, gold or silver into a darkly oxidized steel background—to produce intricate patterns. This is still practiced in Toledo and examples can be found in most tourist shops. Although not really to my taste, there is no denying the skill involved.
Linked to Weekly Photo Challenge: Object.
Travel with Intent 
Thanks for the explanation! Great image!
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Those sewing machines are quite pretty. It’s an interesting art form. Thanks for introducing me to it!
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I’m feeling quite lustful ! 🙂 I must have been a magpie in a former life.
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Indeed! I’ve learned not to buy trinkets like this as they just end up cluttering up drawers. It’s a bit like buying local wine – never the same when you get it home 🙂
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Those sewing machines look too good to use. I love all the work. 😀
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After living in Toledo for over two years, I’ve come to appreciate the much older, geometric (Arabic) designs, but those with birds and flowers are just hideous.
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not really my style either – but quite beautiful! 🙂
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