Byzantium teaspoon 925 silver gold-plated with precious wood

A teaspoon with a beech wood handle, two silver cuffs, and a fully gilded bowl with floral niello ornamentation – a unique piece from the Byzantium collection of the SevChern manufactory from Veliky Ustyug. It combines three materials in one piece: oiled beech wood, 925 sterling silver, and 24-carat gilding with black niello enamel. Those who already own the complete Byzantium table set can add a second dessert setting with this spoon; those who are discovering the line for the first time will find a collector's item in this unique piece.

At a glance

• Material mix: Beech wood, 925 sterling silver, niello black inlay, 24-carat gilding
• Scope of delivery: 1 teaspoon (sold individually)
• Length: approx. 154 mm
• Width (bowl): approx. 29 mm
• Weight: approx. 62 g (manufacturer's tolerance ± 5 %)
• Collection: Byzantium (SevChern, Veliky Ustyug)
• Hallmarks: 925 stamp and SevChern manufactory hallmark on the silver cuff
• Delivery: in a manufactory gift box

Material and workmanship

The handle is turned from oiled beech, with a tight grain and warm hue. At both ends of the wooden handle is a 925 silver cuff with floral-filigree niello ornamentation – black enamel in engraved silver, fixed in a kiln and polished to a high shine. The bowl itself is fully 24-carat gilded and features the same floral niello filigree as the cuffs, but on a larger scale. The precise joining of the wooden handle and silver cuff is an additional step in production compared to pure solid silver spoons: the seam must remain invisible under a magnifying glass, and the wood must not move within the cuff. At around 62 grams, the spoon is significantly heavier than a common teaspoon – a direct consequence of the triple material mix of wood, silver, and gilding.

Usage and occasions

The Byzantium teaspoon is sold individually because it serves three different uses. Those who already own the four-piece Byzantium table set can use this spoon to create a second dessert setting for guests or replace a damaged piece. Those who want to give the line as a gift will find the individual spoon to be a targeted, smaller follow-up item for a birthday or family anniversary for someone who already knows the set. And collectors who appreciate Russian table silver with niello decoration can purchase the spoon as a solitaire for their display cabinet or as an introduction to the material language of the Byzantium line before making a larger purchase.

Care

The material mix requires a common care rule: hand wash, no standing water, immediate drying. After use, wipe the spoon with a slightly damp cloth and dry it immediately with a soft cotton cloth. Avoid hot dishwater and dishwashers – beech wood swells when wet, and aggressive cleaning agents can damage gilding and niello black inlay. Once or twice a year, you can care for the wooden handle with a drop of food-safe wood oil, such as linseed oil or walnut oil.

Frequently asked questions

Can I expand the Byzantium set with this teaspoon?
Yes – the four-piece Byzantium set already includes one teaspoon per place setting. Those who need a second dessert setting or are looking for a replacement piece can reorder this spoon individually, in identical material workmanship with a beech wood handle, silver cuffs, and a gilded niello bowl.

Is personal engraving possible?
Engraving is not provided for this model, as the silver cuff between the wooden handle and the bowl is too narrow for a clean, legible engraving.

How do I care for beech wood, gilding, and niello together?
With hand washing and immediate drying. No standing water, no dishwasher, occasionally some food-safe wood oil for the handle.

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Goes well with a complete table configuration with beech wood handles from the table silver and silver cutlery assortment. For more gift ideas with silver cutlery, it's also worth taking a look at the gift ideas made of 925 sterling silver.