Tea Set, 925 Silver Niello — 4-piece, Cup, Tea Strainer and Spoon

A tea ritual is only complete when nothing is missing. This 4-piece tea set in 925 sterling silver unites cup, saucer, tea strainer with lid, and spoon into a single concept: tea that brews and is served with dignity. Running across all four pieces is the same large-scale Niello floral motif from the SevChern manufactory in Veliky Ustyug — sunflowers and vines, deep black on highly polished silver. A set for people who do not drink tea on the side, but celebrate it consciously.

At a glance

• Set contents: tea cup, saucer, tea strainer with lid, tea spoon
• Material: 925 sterling silver, highly polished, with Niello
• Niello motif: large-scale floral motif, encircling all four pieces
• Tea cup: 300 ml, height 10 cm, width 12 cm, Ø 8.5 cm, approx. 217 g
• Saucer: Ø 12 cm, approx. 93 g
• Tea strainer with lid: height 7 cm, Ø 9.6 cm, approx. 160 g
• Tea spoon: length 14 cm, approx. 25 g
• Total weight of set: approx. 495 g
• Fineness: 925 sterling silver (92.5% fine silver)
• Gift box included, all four pieces packed together

The tea strainer is the key to this set. It does not sit somewhere on the side, but directly on the cup: the strainer insert with its ring handle fits exactly onto the rim of the cup and closes it off like a lid. The tea steeps, and no leaves float freely in the infusion. Once the tea has finished brewing, you remove the strainer insert by the ring and place it on the inverted lid, which from this moment serves as a drip tray. This allows the tea to drip off in a controlled manner, not onto the saucer and not onto the table. A closed system, weighing approx. 160 grams and with a diameter of 9.6 cm, that sits stably on the cup and does not slip.

Material and workmanship

The floral motif on this set is one of the most large-scale of the SevChern line: broad, space-filling blossoms and swirling vines that occupy the entire band of the cup wall. Not a small-scale ornamental pattern that disappears from a distance, but a design that remains recognizable even from afar. The same motif runs on the lid, the same band frames the saucer — the four pieces visibly belong together. This effect is made possible by Niello, a thousand-year-old technique: Niello is a black inlay that is melted into the previously hand-engraved lines, ground flat, and polished — like ink in silver. No print, no enamel — the black is part of the metal itself. The tea spoon features a single Niello blossom at the end of the handle in the same design language, smaller in scale, but committed to the same stylistic vocabulary. SevChern produces Niello silver in Veliky Ustyug, Northern Russia, where this art has been documented since 1683. In 1937, the manufactory received a gold medal at the World Exhibition in Paris. Each of the four pieces goes through six production stages: shaping of the silver blank, hand-engraving of the motif, Niello smelting, grinding and revealing of the design, final polishing, and quality control. The piece is hallmarked.

Use and occasions

A complete tea set as a gift says more than a single cup: It shows that someone has put thought into it — not just about the object, but about the ritual behind it. For a wedding, a gift for two who share their morning tea. For an anniversary, a piece that gains character over the years. For Mother's Day or a birthday, for someone who values quality over quantity. For collectors of Russian silver art, the large-scale motif in the classic SevChern hand-engraving tradition counts. A set from a single mold that would not look out of place in any collection.

Engraving and SilberVerse card

A personal engraving is possible upon review, for example on the bottom of the cup or in a less ornamented area — with a date, initials, or a short dedication. Upon request, we can also include a SilberVerse card in 15 × 10 cm landscape photo format: individually designed, free of charge, a unique piece for this specific occasion.

Care

The same rule applies to all four pieces: hand wash only with lukewarm water and a mild detergent. No dishwasher, no silver dip bath, no ultrasonic cleaner — these methods attack the Niello inlay. The floral motif is permanently melted in and does not fade; it requires no special care other than avoiding aggressive chemicals. The tea strainer can simply be rinsed with lukewarm water after use. Store in a dry place, ideally in the included gift box. With genuine use, silver develops a patina that makes the Niello motif stand out even more — this is not a flaw, it is character.

Frequently asked questions

How exactly does the tea strainer function as a lid?
The strainer insert fits onto the rim of the cup and closes it like a lid, allowing the tea to steep while covered and warm. After brewing, you remove the strainer insert and place it on the inverted lid, which serves as a drip tray — a closed, clean system.

Is 300 ml the right size for tea?
Yes, 300 ml corresponds to a classic European tea cup size. For comparison: mocha cups hold 80 to 120 ml, cappuccino cups 150 to 200 ml. 300 ml is the size for which most tea recipes and infusion times are designed.

What is Niello, and why does the motif remain permanent?
Niello is a black inlay that is melted into the engraved lines, ground flat, and polished — like ink in silver. No varnish, no paint, no print, but part of the metal itself. The motif does not fade and does not wear off.

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