3-Piece Christening Gift Set 925 Silver Kazan Mother of God

For an Orthodox baptism, a single gift is often not enough to do justice to the occasion - usually a combination of a personal keepsake and a religious symbol is sought. This 3-piece set brings both together: a baptismal spoon made of 925 sterling silver with engraved ornamentation, a folding icon depicting the Mother of God in a 925 silver setting, and a small cross pendant with the Christogram "ICXC NIKA".

At a Glance

• Set contents: 1 baptismal spoon, 1 folding icon with silver setting, 1 cross pendant
• Material: 925 sterling silver, niello engraving on the spoon handle and icon setting, leather cover of the folding icon
• Spoon: ornate ornamental handle with niello engraving, guardian angel figure on the handle top
• Folding icon: Kazan Mother of God, riza with niello ornaments and gold solder frame, leather folding with tendril pattern
• Cross pendant: Inscription "ICXC NIKA" (Christogram)
• Packaging: high-quality gift box
• Baptismal spoon: 13 cm, approx. 21 g silver
• Folding icon: 13.2 × 6.9 cm, approx. 58 g silver
• Cross pendant: 2.7 × 1.5 cm, approx. 1.7 g silver

Material and Workmanship

All three pieces are connected by the niello technique: a dark silver-copper alloy that is melted into previously hand-engraved lines and remains visible as a deep black contrast on the light silver after polishing. It sits flush with the surface and is therefore not a coating that could peel off, but is firmly bonded to the metal. On the spoon handle, niello forms the floral ornamental decoration; on the setting of the folding icon, it frames the image of Mary. The folding icon itself is additionally set in a dark brown leather cover with an embossed tendril pattern, which can be unfolded like a small book.

Occasions and Target Groups

This set is aimed at families looking for a religiously significant gift for an Orthodox baptism. For godmothers and godfathers who take on spiritual co-responsibility for the godchild in Orthodoxy, the combination of spoon, icon, and cross offers three classic elements in one set. This set is also suitable as a gift from grandparents who want to give the family a lasting spiritual object.

Engraving and SilberVerse Card

The baptismal spoon can also be engraved on the back of the handle with a name or date — please contact us about this when ordering. We also offer the SilberVerse card: an individually designed card in photo format 15 × 10 cm landscape, currently free of charge. Tell us the baptismal name, date, or a blessing, and we will design the card to match the occasion.

Care

Clean silver and niello with a soft silver polishing cloth, without abrasive cleaners or ultrasonic cleaners — this will preserve the niello lines for years. Store the leather cover of the folding icon dry and out of direct sunlight; occasionally it can be refreshed with a natural leather care product. The cross pendant is cared for like the rest of the silver; if worn on a chain, check it occasionally for wear.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is niello and why is it used on silver?
Niello is a dark alloy that is melted into previously engraved lines in the silver and remains visible as a deep black contrast after polishing. The lines become part of the metal, rather than just being applied.

Why is a silver spoon given at baptism?
The silver baptismal spoon has been a symbol of a sheltered life for centuries — hence the saying "born with a silver spoon in one's mouth." It often remains a person's first personal piece of silver.

What is usually given at an Orthodox baptism?
Gifts with religious significance are common: an icon, a cross pendant, and a baptismal spoon. This set combines all three elements in a single package.

You might also be interested in

You can find more gift ideas for births under Gifts for Births. For church occasions with spoons, necklaces, and sets, take a look at Gifts for Baptisms.