Liturgical Chalice 925 Silver Niello — Potir Christ Gilded

A liturgical chalice featuring Christ standing in the center of the cup, surrounded by apostles and saints – each figure set within its own archway, hand-engraved in niello. This chalice (potir) is no ordinary drinking vessel, but the central implement of the Orthodox Divine Liturgy, in which the wine is transubstantiated into the Blood of Christ. Silver, fine gold, and niello black come together here in a piece that reads like a portable icon.

At a glance

• Material: 925 sterling silver with fine gold gilding (completely inside, rim, node, and base)
• Technique: Hand-engraved niello, iconographic depiction, and floral ornament
• Diameter: Ø 127 mm
• Height: 210 mm
• Volume: 600 ml
• Weight: approx. 580 g

Material and craftsmanship

On the cup of this chalice stand figures – not mere ornaments, but saintly figures in the tradition of Orthodox icon painting. Christ is in the center, recognizable by the cross-halo, in the posture of the Pantokrator (Ruler of the World), flanked by apostles and saints. Each figure stands in its own pointed-arch arcade, separated by ornamental columns. Faces, robes, and halos are executed in hand-engraved niello – black on silver, with golden accents on the halos and liturgical vestments. At the base of the chalice, the engraving continues in a floral grapevine motif. The interior gilding of this chalice is not merely decorative, but a canonical requirement: in the Orthodox Liturgy, the Holy Gifts may only touch a precious metal, which is why every liturgical chalice is completely gilded on the inside. In this piece, the gilding is executed in fine gold and extends to the rim, the node (the decorative knob on the stem), and the base. The chalice is crafted in the SevChern manufactory in Veliky Ustyug, where the same hand-engraved niello technique has been cultivated for generations.

Usage and occasions

The potir (from the Greek ποτήριον – drinking vessel) is the central implement of the Orthodox Divine Liturgy. In it, the wine is mixed with water and transubstantiated into the Blood of Christ; during Holy Communion, the priest administers bread and wine together from the chalice. Before its first liturgical use, the chalice must be consecrated by a bishop or priest. A potir is also a meaningful gift: for an ordination, as a donation to a parish – one of the most traditional forms of Orthodox support for church life – or for major feast days like Easter. Regardless of its liturgical use, the chalice is also a piece of exceptional rank for collectors of sacred silversmithing.

Engraving and SilberVerse card

Upon request, a donor's name, dedication, or date can be engraved on the base or the lower rim of the chalice – the cup with the saintly figures remains untouched. On request, we include a SilberVerse card in 15 × 10 cm landscape format: complimentary, digitally designed, and printed in photo format – a personal accompaniment to this special gift.

Care

Clean carefully by hand; polish dry with a soft cloth. Do not put in the dishwasher. Treat the fine gold gilding gently during cleaning; do not use abrasive agents or hard brushes.

Frequently asked questions

Can this chalice be used in the Orthodox Liturgy?

Yes, it meets the canonical requirements: 925 silver as the base material, full interior gilding with fine gold, an appropriate volume of 600 ml, and an iconographic depiction on the cup. Before its first liturgical use, the chalice must be consecrated by a bishop or priest.

Why is the chalice gilded on the inside?

According to Orthodox tradition, the transubstantiated Blood of Christ must only come into contact with a precious metal. The interior gilding made of fine gold fulfills this canonical requirement and is also taste-neutral.

Is an engraving possible?

Upon request, a donor's name, dedication, or date can be engraved on the base or the lower rim. The cup with the saintly figures remains untouched.

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You can find more silver objects for special occasions in our 925 Silver Gift Ideas and in our Tableware and Silverware collection.