Coffee cup porcelain silver | lilac | handmade luxury

When two workshops from St. Petersburg collaborate on a single object, the result is more than just a cup. The “Lilac” coffee and tea cup combines fine porcelain with a holder made of 925 sterling silver, copper, gold, and colorful enamel—a two-part ensemble that captures the lilac bush in pink and green against a shimmering background, giving every cup of coffee or tea a special moment in the spotlight.

At a glance

• Material: Porcelain, 925 sterling silver, copper, gold, enamel
• Total weight: approx. 98 g
• Porcelain cup: approx. 42 g
• Cup holder: approx. 48 g (of which approx. 24 g is silver, approx. 32 g is copper)
• Total height: 7 cm
• Porcelain cup: height 5.5 cm, diameter 4 cm (bottom) / 5.5 cm (top)
• Cup holder: height 5.5 cm, diameter 4.5 cm (bottom) / 5 cm (top)
• Colors: Gold, green, lilac
• Motif: Lilac

The lilac — motif and meaning

The lilac blooms for only a few weeks in spring, but does so all the more intensely—its clusters have long symbolized first love, youth, and new beginnings after winter. In many families, it is the fragrance that evokes memories of a particular house or garden. On this cup, it appears as a delicate pink against a deep teal green, with gilded contours outlining every floral panicle. It is a motif that is not loud, but rather touches on something familiar—perfect for a gift intended to express closeness without needing to say it aloud.

Material and craftsmanship

The inner porcelain cup comes from Imperial Porcelain in St. Petersburg, one of Russia’s most traditional porcelain manufacturers. It bears the manufacturer’s stamp on the bottom as proof of quality. The holder enclosing the cup is created at Russkiye Samotsvety in several artisanal steps: during electroforming, silver is built up in a galvanic bath onto a wax model; after the wax is removed, a three-dimensional yet pleasantly light silver object remains. In the enamel filigree technique, the finest twisted silver wires form the relief pattern, along which the enamel color is applied by hand—the lilac motif is thus created layer by layer, not as a print. A final, wafer-thin gilding provides shine and additional protection. Because every enamel surface is colored by hand, each piece differs slightly from the next.

Use and occasions

The “Lilac” cup is intended for daily coffee or tea as well as for special occasions: as a gift for a birthday, Mother’s Day, a wedding, or as a sign of appreciation for someone who values objects with a history. Its two-part construction—porcelain inside, silver-enamel outside—makes it a piece that is meant to be both used and displayed in a cabinet. For collectors, the combination of two historical St. Petersburg manufacturers in one object adds an extra allure.

Engraving and SilberVerse card

Engraving is not possible on the delicate enamel holder, as the surface is entirely covered with relief patterns and color. As a personal touch, we offer an individually designed SilberVerse card (15 × 10 cm) upon request—with a message tailored to the occasion and recipient, free of charge. Please specify your request in the order field.

Care

Clean the cup and holder exclusively by hand with warm water and a mild dish soap—no dishwasher. Avoid silver dip baths, as the enamel inserts and gilding could be damaged. The porcelain can withstand normal hand washing, but no abrasive cleaners. It is best to store the set in its gift box or separately on a soft surface.

Frequently asked questions

What is the significance of the lilac motif on the cup?
The lilac stands for spring, first love, and new beginnings. Russkiye Samotsvety has executed the motif using the enamel filigree technique—pink and green, applied by hand layer by layer and accented with gilded contours.

Is the cup suitable for daily use?
Yes, the porcelain and silver holder are intended for functional use. For everyday use, we recommend hand washing and avoiding silver dip baths to ensure the enamel and gilding remain well-preserved.

Which workshops are behind this set?
The porcelain cup comes from Imperial Porcelain, St. Petersburg, and the silver-enamel holder from Russkiye Samotsvety, also in St. Petersburg. Both parts bear their respective manufacturer’s stamps.

You might also be interested in

If you enjoy the interplay of porcelain and silver-enamel, you can find other coffee and tea cups with different motifs in our selection of tableware & silverware. For more gifting inspiration, take a look at our gift ideas in 925 sterling silver.