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

This set brings together three pieces that many families seek for an Orthodox baptism: a niello baptismal spoon with a guardian angel figure on the handle, a folding icon of the Kazan Mother of God in a 925 sterling silver riza, and a cross pendant with the Christogram "ICXC NIKA." Three pieces, three roles, one shared workshop tradition from Veliky Ustyug.

What connects the three pieces is the niello technique — a dark alloy that is burned into hand-engraved lines on the silver and, after polishing, becomes visible as a deep black contrast. Not applied, but integrated. In Veliky Ustyug, this technique has been handed down since the 17th century. The niello hand engraving with a burin is the crucial step — a line work that no laser can replace.

The manufacturer is the SevChern manufactory. Our line for this tradition is called Nielloa — we call the technique itself by its name: Niello.

The Kazan Mother of God — the Iconographic Center

The Kazan Mother of God is one of the most revered Marian icons in the Orthodox world. Her feast day is celebrated on November 4th. The image shows Mary with the Christ Child half-figure against a dark background — the classic Kazan composition that has been passed down since the 16th century.

On this folding icon, a riza of 925 sterling silver frames the motif. The riza is engraved with niello ornaments and finished with a gold solder frame. On the right panel is the Orthodox prayer to the Mother of God: „Богородице Дево, радуйся" — in English "Hail, Mother of God Virgin". It is the Orthodox equivalent of the Ave Maria.

Guardian Angel, Mother of God, and Cross — Three Levels of Intercession

The three pieces of the set assume different roles — and precisely because of this, they complement each other:

• Baptismal spoon with guardian angel: The angel at the top of the handle represents the child's personal companion. It belongs to the baptized — individually.
• Folding icon with Kazan Mother of God: The icon represents the family and all those who accompany the child into life. An intercession at the community level.
• Cross pendant with ICXC NIKA: The Greek Christogram means "Jesus Christ conquers" (Iisus Christos NIKA). It is the first confession of faith that the child wears on its body.

Guardian angel and Mother of God do not compete: The angel accompanies the child, the icon speaks for the family, the cross connects both with faith itself. Those who prefer the personal guardian angel aspect without an icon will find the sister set without a folding icon in our line. Those looking for a variation with the same folding icon in a different price range will find it in the Orthodox gift set.

Niello — what characterizes the three pieces

Niello is an ancient jewelry technique: A dark alloy is melted into previously hand-engraved lines and firmly bonded with the base metal. During polishing, the characteristic deep black contrast between bright silver and niello lines emerges. We call the technique Niello, our line is called Nielloa, the manufacturer is SevChern in Veliky Ustyug.

On the baptismal spoon, niello extends as a figurative guardian angel and floral handle decoration over the end of the handle. On the riza of the folding icon, niello forms the ornamental frame that guides the Marian image. On the cross pendant, niello fills the background areas around the Christogram. Three applications, one workshop tradition.

Because each line is drawn by hand, no two pieces are exactly alike. The strength and depth of the niello lines may vary slightly — this is not a defect, but a sign that no laser performed the final step.

Personalization and Care

The back of the baptismal spoon handle is engravable — baptismal name, date, a short blessing. Those who wish can also order the SilberVerse card: a 10x15 cm photo, personally designed, currently free with your order.

Care for the three materials:

• Silver + Niello: Soft silver polishing cloth without abrasives. No ultrasonic cleaner, no aggressive baths — the niello lines will be preserved for years.
• Leather folding of the icon: Store dry, out of direct sunlight. Occasionally refresh with a natural leather care product.
• Cross pendant: As with other silver. If the pendant is worn on a chain, check the chain separately for wear.

Niello becomes more beautiful with time: The contrast between polished silver and dark lines deepens with each polish. The piece you hold in twenty years will look richer than it did on the first day.

Frequently Asked Questions