Chess Minibar "Grandmaster" — .925 Silver, Niello, Fine Wood

A chess minibar made of 925 sterling silver, niello hand engraving, gilding, and three precious woods: 32 pieces with silver base rings, a board with eight silver appliques, and underneath, a complete minibar with stemmed glasses, shot glasses, a tray, and a serving fork. Designed by Petrova O.A., a member of the Union of Artists of Russia, crafted in the SevChern manufactory in Veliky Ustyug. For the chess player, the collector, or the man who truly has everything – a piece to play, admire, and pass down.

At a Glance

• Overall Dimensions: 570 × 570 × 200 mm
• Silver Weight: approx. 1,716.60 g (pure silver content in piece rings, board appliques, and minibar parts)
• Pieces: 32 pieces made of solid wood (dark wenge, light Canadian maple, American walnut as an accent), each with a 925 sterling silver ring at the base, niello-engraved and gilded
• Board Appliques: 4 corner fittings in Rocaille style, each 60.5 × 46 mm; 2 lozenge-shaped central ornaments with niello; 2 gold strips, each 216 × 7 mm
• Stemmed Glasses: 2 pieces, 65 ml, D 52 × H 104 mm, gilded inside
• Shot Glasses: 2 pieces, 40 ml, D 42.5 × H 47 mm
• Serving Tray: 1 piece, oval, L 167.5 × W 94 × H 5 mm
• Serving Fork: 1 piece, L 138 × W 18 mm
• Material: 925 sterling silver with niello hand engraving and gilding, precious wood (wenge, Canadian maple, American walnut)
• Designer: Petrova O.A., member of the Union of Artists of Russia

Material and Workmanship

Each of the 32 chess pieces is turned from solid wood – the dark side from wenge, the light from Canadian maple, complemented by American walnut in the mid-tones. At the base, each piece wears a ring of 925 sterling silver, hand-engraved with niello ornaments and gilded – not an applied decoration, but solid silver that encircles the wooden body. Niello is a dark silver-sulfur alloy that is melted into the engraved lines over an open flame and permanently bonds with the silver; it does not fade but becomes more contrasting with each polish. The chessboard itself is the lid of a wooden chest, adorned at the edges and corners with eight hand-engraved silver appliques: four corner fittings in a curved Rocaille style, two lozenge-shaped central ornaments with niello ornamentation, and two narrow gold strips that frame the board like a picture. The set was designed by Petrova O.A., a member of the Union of Artists of Russia, and crafted in the SevChern manufactory in Veliky Ustyug.

Usage and Occasions

Beneath the chessboard lies the minibar: two internally gilded stemmed glasses for cognac or whiskey, two more compact shot glasses for a quick toast between moves, an oval serving tray as a stage for the glasses, and a delicate serving fork for olives or cheese. This combination makes the set a gift for the chess player who appreciates craftsmanship, as well as for the collector who wants a piece with silver, niello, gilding, and three precious woods in their display cabinet. This set is also an unexpected answer for a business partner, retirement, or the milestone birthday of a man who truly has everything.

Engraving and SilverVerse Card

Engraving is possible upon request on the silver surfaces of the board or on the tray – a name, date, or a short dedication. With every engraving, we include a SilverVerse card in photo format 15 × 10 cm: individually designed, suitable for the occasion, currently free of charge.

Care

Care for the silver parts with a soft silver polishing cloth; no dishwasher, no silver dip – this would damage the gilding. Store the wooden chest dry and protect it from direct sunlight. It is best to handle the pieces by the wooden body, not by the silver ring, to preserve the polish.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you actually play chess with the set?

Yes, all 32 pieces are complete and playable – king, queen, knight, bishop, rook, and pawn in two colors each. The board has a regular 8×8 field.

What exactly does the minibar contain?

Two stemmed glasses (65 ml, gilded inside), two shot glasses (40 ml), an oval serving tray, and a serving fork – all made of 925 silver with niello and gilding, matching the pieces.

How is the set delivered?

In a leather case with carrying handles. The pieces and minibar parts have their own compartments inside the wooden chest.

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For a matching table setting, you can find more tableware and silver cutlery made of 925 silver. If you are looking for other exceptional gift ideas, take a look at our gift ideas made of 925 silver.