Child's cup, 925 silver with Little Red Riding Hood motif — Niello, 125 ml

Children's Cup in 925 Silver with Little Red Riding Hood Motif — Niello Cup for Girls, 125 ml

This children's cup, made of 925 sterling silver, features Little Red Riding Hood — a fairy tale motif known to every child. Not a printed image, not a sticker: The Little Red Riding Hood motif is permanently incorporated into the silver using niello, framed by floral elements and a continuous ornamental band made from the same black metal alloy. Designed with a curved handle and a round base for small hands — and at the same time, a piece to treasure. Crafted by SevChern in Veliky Ustyug, Northern Russia, following a tradition that has remained unchanged for over 340 years.

The Little Red Riding Hood Niello — how the fairy tale motif is permanently incorporated into silver

Niello is not a paint or varnish. It is a black metal alloy — composed of silver, copper, lead, and sulfur — which is melted into finely engraved depressions. This means on this children's cup: Little Red Riding Hood, the floral elements, and the continuous ornamental band are first hand-engraved into the silver. Then, the niello mass is heated and applied into the grooves. After cooling, the surface is polished until the deep black niello is precisely flush with the gleaming silver.

The result is a contrast that has an immediate effect: the warm polished silver of the cup's wall against the deep black of the Little Red Riding Hood motif. The figure — the red cloak, the basket, the floral tendrils all around — is visible with a sharpness that can only be achieved with this technique. Niello does not fade, wear off, or peel. The fairy tale motif is literally part of the metal itself — unchangeable, like a good fairy tale.

The floral elements around the figure and the continuous ornamental band frame the Little Red Riding Hood motif and give the cup a composition that appears as a unified whole at first glance. This is a characteristic of niello works from Veliky Ustyug: not just the individual motif, but the interplay of figure, plant decor, and framing band.

125 ml and curved handle — why this size is right for children

A capacity of 125 ml is the right size for small children. A larger cup is harder to control, more difficult to hold, and more prone to everyday mishaps. The curved handle is dimensioned to fit securely in small hands. With a diameter of 68 mm, a height of 57 mm, and a round base, the cup has a compact, stable shape that is not easily tipped over.

95 g is a weight that feels balanced for a solid silver object — heavy enough for stability, light enough for children's hands. Unlike silver-plated children's dinnerware, where the silver layer peels off over time, this entire piece is made of 925 sterling silver: the same material, the same quality, the same durability, both inside and out.

Little Red Riding Hood — a fairy tale motif that accompanies girls

Little Red Riding Hood is one of the most famous fairy tale motifs in German tradition — and one of the few that immediately resonates with children: curiosity, courage, the path through the forest, the reunion at the end. On a children's cup made of 925 silver, this motif takes on a different quality than on fabric or paper: It is solid, durable, part of a piece that lasts.

The Little Red Riding Hood motif is primarily aimed at girls — in its depiction, in its symbolism, in what it says about the child to whom the cup is given: a girl who knows her way and explores the world with curiosity. As a christening gift, birthday gift, or Christmas gift, this children's cup has its own language — the language of a fairy tale that never goes out of style.

SevChern Veliky Ustyug — Origin, Hallmark, and 340 Years of Niello Tradition

Veliky Ustyug is located in Northern Russia — and has been one of the most important centers of Russian silver processing since the 17th century. Niello works from Veliky Ustyug have been documented since 1683. SevChern is one of the few enterprises that continues this tradition with artisanal depth today. Each cup is hand-engraved and filled with niello — not a mechanical process, but a procedure that requires experience and precision.

The hallmark on this children's cup is the formal proof: 925 sterling silver, Russian state hallmark, manufacturer's mark SevChern. For hallmarked Russian silver objects, this is legally regulated and secured by state controls. For a christening or birthday gift, this means: a piece with a clear origin, clear material proof, and a story that grows with the child.

As a Christening Gift, Birthday Gift, or Christmas Gift

A children's cup made of 925 silver is not an item that will be replaced after one season. The Little Red Riding Hood motif in niello makes it a gift that speaks for itself — for a christening, for a first birthday, for Christmas. It is ready to give: gift box included, no further wrapping needed.

Personal engraving is possible upon request: a name, a date, a short sentence. An engraved children's cup thus becomes a piece that uniquely belongs to this child and this moment. If desired, the cup can also be combined with a SilverVerse card: 10 × 15 cm, individually inscribed, upon request.

Care and Frequently Asked Questions

925 silver with niello decoration is easier to care for than many people think. Hand wash with warm water and mild dish soap — a soft cloth is sufficient. No dishwasher, no aggressive cleaning agents. A light tarnish layer can be removed with a silver polishing cloth. The niello is resistant to normal care and will not change color or depth.

Is the Little Red Riding Hood motif for girls or for all children?
The Little Red Riding Hood motif is primarily aimed at girls — the figure and its depiction are suitable for a girl's gift. If you are looking for a gender-neutral children's cup, you can find it with the owl motif (SW10514). Both cups are identical in size, material, and technique: 125 ml, 95 g, 925 silver, SevChern.

Is the cup suitable for daily use?
Yes. 925 sterling silver is food-safe and suitable for daily use. The niello is permanently set in the silver and will not be damaged by normal use. Rinse briefly after drinking and wipe dry.

What is niello — and why does the motif last permanently?
Niello is a metal alloy of silver, copper, lead, and sulfur, which is melted into engraved depressions. After polishing, it sits flush with the silver surface — firmly bonded to the metal, not applied. It cannot detach, chip, or fade.

What distinguishes 925 silver from silver-plated children's dinnerware?
Silver-plated children's dinnerware has a thin layer of silver on a non-precious base metal — this wears off over time. 925 sterling silver is solid: the same precious metal inside and out, no layer that could peel off. The hallmark officially confirms this.

Other silver gifts for children:
→ Children's cups in 925 silver — all motifs
→ Children's dinnerware in 925 silver — sets and individual pieces
→ Silver gifts for girls — birth and christening
→ Christening gifts in 925 silver