Piala cup 925 silver gold-plated SAKURA 140 ml

What happens when a Japanese motif is transferred to Russian niello art? This piala answers the question with 130 grams of solid silver in hand. The cherry blossom motif of the SAKURA collection runs as a deep black niello band with birds on blooming branches around the gilded silver wall — crafted by SevChern in Veliky Ustyug, where this technique has been cultivated since 1683. Two traditions, one piece: Japanese aesthetics meets Northern Russian silver art.

At a glance

• Material: 925 Sterling Silver, partially gilded, with niello
• Collection: SAKURA, cherry blossom motif
• Capacity: 140 ml
• Diameter: 94 mm
• Height: 45 mm
• Weight: 130 g
• Shape: Piala, handleless, conical
• Niello motif: cherry blossoms, birds and tendrils, hand engraved
• Hallmark: present
• Engraving: available upon request
• Gift box: included

Material and workmanship

This piala is made of solid 925 sterling silver, with the entire wall thickness from the silver alloy. The gilding is partially applied — inside and out on the wall as a warm background for the niello motif. The cherry blossom motif of the SAKURA collection was hand-engraved into the silver: cherry blossom branches with birds, each line individually etched, each recess filled with the black niello alloy of silver, copper, lead and sulfur and fired. The result is insolubly bonded to the metal, no paint, no print, no foil. On the gilded silver, the deep black niello creates a particularly strong contrast — the warm gold of the background makes the blossoms and birds visually stand out. The Russian Federal Assay Office confirms the alloy with its hallmark, the SevChern manufacturer's mark proves its origin from Veliky Ustyug.

Use and occasions

A piala is a handleless drinking vessel from Central Asian and Russian tea culture, related to the Chinese teacup and the Japanese chawan. You hold it with both hands, feeling the warmth of the tea directly through the silver — a form of conscious, slower drinking. 140 ml is the classic piala size: enough for a good portion of tea, whether black, green or herbal tea, and also suitable for a small espresso or lungo, as silver is food-safe. In Japan, the cherry blossom motif stands for spring, fleeting beauty and new beginnings, which makes this piala a suitable wedding gift. It is equally suitable for silver weddings, anniversaries or round birthdays for tea lovers, collectors of Russian silver art and anyone who appreciates the Sakura motif.

Engraving and SilberVerse Card

An engraving with a date or initials is possible upon request — please contact us before ordering so that we can clarify the position and implementation together. In addition, we offer a SilberVerse card in photo format of 15 × 10 cm landscape — individually designed digitally, suitable for the occasion and currently free of charge. Please state your request in the order field.

Care

Clean the piala exclusively by hand with lukewarm water and mild dish soap. No dishwasher, no ultrasonic cleaner, no silver dip — these methods attack the gilding and niello inlay. For the gilded silver surfaces, a soft silver polishing cloth is sufficient, which also corrects slight tarnishing. Store the piala dry, ideally in the enclosed gift box, as silver tarnishes faster in humid air.

Frequently asked questions

What is a piala — and why doesn't it have a handle?
A piala is a handleless drinking vessel from Central Asian and Russian tea culture. You hold it with both hands and feel the warmth of the tea directly — a more conscious, slower way of drinking than with a handled mug.

What exactly does the SAKURA motif show?
Cherry blossom branches with birds, hand-engraved into the silver and filled with black niello alloy. Sakura is Japanese for cherry blossom and stands for spring, fleeting beauty and new beginnings.

Is the piala suitable for daily use?
Yes — 925 sterling silver is food-safe and suitable for both hot and cold drinks. Only hand washing is important, no dishwasher, so that the gilding remains for decades.

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