TSAR Cup 925 Silver Niello Repoussé — Gilded Mead Toast

A toast with a wink, cast in silver: "Ай-да мёд! И в голову и в ноги бьёт. Жаль горек." – an old Russian saying about mead, which tastes sweet but whose consequences are considered "bitter" the next morning. The TSAR Goblet carries this humor in repoussé flowers, niello, and red garnets – a set for collectors who know that the noblest pieces don't always have to be solemn.

At a Glance

• Material: 925 Sterling Silver, fine gold plating (999), niello hand engraving
• Technique: Repoussé high relief (embossed flowers) + niello + engraving
• Inscription: old Russian mead toast in Old Russian script
• Gemstones: 6–8 garnet cabochons (goblet finial and platter handles)
• Set: Trumpet-shaped goblet + platter/coaster/lid
• Dimensions: W 129 mm × H 158 mm (goblet on platter)
• Volume: 290 ml
• Weight: approx. 477 g (goblet + platter)
• Delivery: in its own glass display box with SevChern signature
• Engraving: possible on request — oval cartouche on the bowl

Material and Workmanship

The trumpet-shaped goblet stands on a massive, multi-tiered foot made of 925 sterling silver. The bowl features a dense golden floral ornament that grows three-dimensionally out of the silver – repoussé technique: The silver sheet is worked from the back with countless hammer blows until petals, stems, and leaves curve and bend. This is not engraving, but sculpture, and it is considered one of the most elaborate techniques a silversmith can master. Above it is a niello band with medallions and geometric patterns, below it the finial with red garnet cabochons, individually set and glowing dark red. Inside, the goblet is completely gilded – gold that protects the contents and shimmers warmly in the light. The set also includes a platter that serves as a coaster, lid, and stage for the inscription all at once: The toast runs in a circle on it in Old Russian script, with a figure in the middle that visually captures the saying. The goblet and platter together weigh approximately 477 g of sterling silver.

Use and Occasions

This set is perfect for collectors with a sense of humor who understand that the most beautiful artworks don't always have to be deadly serious – a toast about mead in Old Russian script, surrounded by garnets, is high-level irony. It's suitable for people who enjoy celebrating with pleasure and self-irony, as well as for diplomatic or business occasions where a humorous but noble gift should be remembered. For lovers of Russian culture, this set combines several traditions: mead as a forgotten drink of princes, niello and repoussé techniques from Veliky Ustyug, Old Russian script, and garnets as a color accent. Together with the Moscow and St. Petersburg ceremonial goblets, the TSAR Goblet can also be understood as a standalone third piece in a small collection of Russian silver art.

Engraving and SilverVerse Card

Additional engraving is possible on request – the oval cartouche on the bowl offers space for initials, a name, or a date. On request, we can include a personalized SilverVerse card in photo format (15 × 10 cm landscape) – individually designed, suitable for the occasion, and currently free of charge.

Care

Wipe regularly with a soft silver polishing cloth, only gently dab the niello and repoussé surfaces instead of rubbing. Do not use aggressive cleaners or abrasive agents. Store in the supplied display box when the set is not on display.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the inscription on the platter mean?

"Ай-да мёд! И в голову и в ноги бьёт. Жаль горек." – roughly translated: "Ah, what a mead! It hits the head and the legs. Too bad it's bitter." An old Russian toast with self-deprecating humor: Mead itself is sweet, the "bitterness" refers to the consequences afterwards.

What is repoussé?

An embossing technique where the silver sheet is hammered from the back until the motifs grow out three-dimensionally. The golden flowers on the bowl are crafted using this technique.

Can one drink from the goblet?

Yes – 925 silver is food-safe, as is the interior gilding. 290 ml is a generous measure, traditionally for mead, but also suitable for vodka, cognac, or wine.

You might also be interested in

Discover silverware and silver tableware made of 925 silver

Discover gift ideas made of 925 sterling silver