Silver tray 925 silver gold-plated oval Troika

Three horses, side-by-side, at full gallop — and the black that outlines them is not on the silver, but within it. This oval tray of 925 sterling silver features a Troika scene in niello hand-engraving at its center, framed by a wide, gilded ornamental band. Two registers that do not outshine each other, but support each other: externally the splendor, internally the narrative.

The Troika motif on this silver tray

In the oval central medallion, three horses gallop side-by-side, manes in the wind, their harness finely worked down to each buckle. Behind them, a vast landscape unfolds: gentle hills, groups of trees on the horizon, stylized clouds above. The scene conveys movement without being hectic — the animals are captured in a gallop, but the composition remains calm.

The troika, the Russian three-horse carriage, is one of the central images of this culture. It symbolizes freedom and expanse; Gogol made it a metaphor for an entire country in the last chapter of "Dead Souls." On this tray, it becomes a motif that not only decorates but asserts something.

How the black gets into the silver

Niello is one of the oldest silversmithing techniques and has become rare in Europe. Imagine it like ink in silver: First, masters hand-engrave the motif into the surface, then the dark paste is filled into the depressions and melted in an open flame. Afterward, it is polished — with care, because too much removes the niello, and too little leaves the contrast dull.

The result is not a print or a coating. The black is part of the metal, permanently bonded, and becomes more contrasted with each polish instead of fading. With hand-engraving, each stroke has only one chance: if a line isn't right, the master starts over. Because each master has their own signature in their line work, each piece bears a subtle personal mark — even with the same motif.

The tray is crafted by SevChern in Veliky Ustyug, where niello art has been documented in writing since 1683. Nielloa — that's what we call these artworks in our shop; niello is the technique, SevChern is the manufacturer.

Three zones that interact

The tray is clearly structured. The outermost zone is the most prominent: encircling acanthus scrolls, plastically worked from the silver and completely gilded, with four symmetrical cartouches at the axial ends. This is followed by a wide, calm ring zone — also gilded, but without relief, which draws the eye inward.

The center is deliberately cooler: an oval pictorial medallion in natural silver, matte finish, without gilding. It is precisely this change that creates the effect — the warm gold outside, the quiet silver inside, and within it, the dark drawing. The gilding is an electrolytic layer of 0.5 microns on the silver and holds permanently, as long as it is not mechanically abraded. The Russian state hallmark confirms the fineness and manufacturer's mark.

When such a tray is the right gift

With a length of 415 millimeters and weighing almost a kilogram, this is not an item that is casually given. For a wedding, it remains on the shared table long after other gifts are forgotten. For a milestone birthday or company anniversary, it literally carries the weight of the occasion. As a prestigious corporate gift, it works just as well as a collector's item of Russian silversmith art — and it can be used: as a presentation surface for glasses, a carafe, or pastries in a festive setting.

Engraving and SilberVerse card

Personal engraving is available upon request. SevChern individually checks for each piece what type of engraving and placement is possible next to the already engraved medallion, and provides concrete suggestions. Additionally, you can choose a SilberVerse card: 15 × 10 cm in landscape format, currently designed for free, as a personal unique addition to the gift.

Care

Hand wash with warm water and mild dish soap, dried with a soft cloth. No dishwasher, no scouring powder. Gently remove tarnish from the silver with a silver polishing cloth — taking care of the gilded areas, as gilding is more sensitive than the silver itself. Never scour the niello lines: although the black is firmly embedded in the metal, it will wear off over time with abrasive polishing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is Niello?

One of the oldest silversmithing techniques: The motif is hand-engraved into the silver, the dark paste is filled into the lines and melted in an open flame. The black then sits within the metal, not on it — no lacquer, no paint, nothing that can flake off. Further works of this technique can be found among our silver artworks with niello hand-engraving.

Is the Troika scene really hand-engraved?

Yes. The figurative scene in the center is engraved with a burin, with varying line thicknesses and light-shadow contrasts that cannot be achieved by machine.

Is each piece unique?

Each piece is hand-engraved — and with hand-engraving, each stroke has only one chance. If a line is not quite right, the master starts over. Even with the same motif, there are therefore small individual differences in the line work, because each master has their own signature. They are not strictly numbered editions in a technical sense, but each piece bears the artist's manufactory mark.

Does the black fade over time?

No. The niello inlay is permanently bonded to the silver and becomes more contrasted with each gentle polish. Only rough scrubbing will wear it down over the years — therefore, do not use abrasive agents.

How long does the gilding last?

The electrolytic gilding of 0.5 microns adheres permanently as long as it is not mechanically damaged. With gentle care, it will last for years.

Can I use the tray or is it purely decorative?

You can use it. It is designed as a presentation surface for a carafe, glasses, or pastries — provided it is hand-washed. Matching pieces can be found in our selection of silverware and tableware.