Silver tray 925 silver gold-plated oval Troika

Three horses, side by side, in full stride — and the black that defines their lines is not sitting on the silver, but within it. This oval tray made of 925 sterling silver bears a troika scene in hand-engraved niello at its center, framed by a broad, gold-plated ornamental band. Two registers that do not outshine, but rather support one another: splendor on the outside, narrative within.

The Troika motif on this silver tray

In the oval center medallion, three horses run side by side, manes in the wind, the harness finely crafted down to every individual buckle. Behind them, a wide landscape opens up: gentle hills, clusters of trees on the horizon, and stylized clouds above. The scene conveys movement without being hectic — the animals are captured at a gallop, yet the composition remains calm.

The troika, the Russian three-horse carriage, is one of the central images of this culture. It represents freedom and vastness; in the final chapter of "Dead Souls," Gogol turned it into a symbol for an entire country. On this tray, it becomes a motif that does more than just decorate—it makes a statement.

How the black enters the silver

Niello is one of the oldest silversmithing techniques and has become rare in Europe. Imagine it as ink in silver: first, the masters engrave the motif by hand into the surface; then, the dark mixture is filled into the recesses and fused in an open flame. Afterward, it is polished — with great care, as too much removes the niello, while too little leaves the contrast dull.

The result is neither a print nor a coating. The black is part of the metal, permanently bonded, and becomes more contrast-rich rather than paler with every polish. With hand engraving, every stroke has only one chance: if a line is misplaced, the master must begin again. Because each master has their own personal signature in their linework, every piece bears a fine personal touch — even with the same motif.

The tray is crafted by SevChern in Veliky Ustyug, where the art of niello has been documented in writing since 1683. We call these artworks Nielloa in our shop; niello is the technique, SevChern is the manufacturer.

Three zones playing in harmony

The tray is clearly structured. The outermost zone is the loudest: encircling acanthus rocaille, worked in relief from the silver and fully gold-plated, with four symmetrical cartouches at the ends of the axes. This is followed by a broad, calm ring zone — also gold-plated but without relief, guiding the eye inward.

The center is intentionally cooler: an oval image medallion in a natural, matte silver finish, without gilding. It is precisely this contrast that creates the effect — warm gold on the outside, quiet silver on the inside, and the dark drawing within. The gilding exists as an electrolytic layer of 0.5 microns on the silver and remains durable as long as it is not mechanically abraded.

When such a tray is the right gift

At 415 millimeters in length and nearly one kilogram in weight, this is not a piece to be handed over casually. Given as a wedding gift, it will remain on the couple's table long after other things have been forgotten. For a milestone birthday or company anniversary, it carries the weight of the occasion in the truest sense of the word. It works equally well as a prestigious corporate gift or as a collector's item of Russian silversmithing — and it is functional: as a display surface for glasses, a carafe, or pastries in a festive setting.

Engraving and SilberVerse card

A personal engraving is possible upon review. SevChern examines each piece individually to determine which form and placement of engraving are possible alongside the already engraved medallion and will provide you with specific proposals. Additionally, you can choose a SilberVerse card: 15 × 10 cm in landscape format, designed free of charge as a unique personal addition to your gift.

Care

Hand wash with warm water and mild dish soap, dried with a soft cloth. No dishwasher, no abrasive powder. Remove any tarnish on the silver gently with a silver polishing cloth — take care to avoid the gold-plated zones, as gilding is more delicate than the silver itself. Never scrub the niello lines: although the black is firmly embedded in the metal, it can wear away over time with harsh polishing.

Frequently asked questions

What exactly is niello?

One of the oldest silversmithing techniques: the motif is engraved by hand into the silver, the dark mixture is filled into the lines, and then fused in an open flame. The black then sits within the metal, not on it — no lacquer, no paint, nothing that can flake off. You can find more works in this technique in our silver artworks with hand-engraved niello.

Is the troika scene really hand-engraved?

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

Is every piece a unique item?

Every piece is hand-engraved — and with hand engraving, each stroke has only one chance. If a line is not set correctly, the master starts over. Even with the same motif, there are small individual differences in the linework because each master has their own signature. While they are not technically strictly numbered editions, every piece is hallmarked.

Does the black fade over time?

No. The niello inlay is permanently bonded to the silver and tends to become more contrast-rich with every gentle polish. Only rough scrubbing will wear it away over the years — which is why you should 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 for decoration?

You can use it. It is built to serve as a display surface for a carafe, glasses, or pastries — provided it is hand-washed. You can find matching pieces in our selection of silverware and tableware.