Gifts "Orthodox Crown" 925 Silver — Icon, miniature church, niello

The egg opens — and inside, a small gilded egg with an Orthodox cross and floral niello ornament awaits, framed by 25 bright stones representing pussy willows (Верба). When closed, the front of the egg displays an icon of the Mother of God of Kazan, and the back shows the golden letters ХВ — Христос Воскресе, Christ is Risen. All around: openwork silver with floral motifs, niello hand-engraving, gilding, and the bright stones. A piece that opens and takes your breath away.

At a glance

• Material: 925 Sterling Silver, niello hand-engraving, gilding, openwork, gemstones
• Icon: Mother of God of Kazan (Kasanskaya) on the front
• Back: ХВ (Христос Воскресе) in gold
• Surprise inside: small gilded egg with Orthodox cross and niello ornament
• Opening mechanism: the egg splits open to reveal the inner egg
• Stones: 25 bright stones — symbol of pussy willows (Верба, Palm Sunday)
• Delivery: in a gift box

Material and Craftsmanship

On the front of the closed egg, an oval medallion is set with an icon: the Mother of God of Kazan, one of the most revered icons of the Russian Orthodox Church — Mary with the Infant Jesus, in gold on a dark background, framed by openwork silver with floral tendrils. This icon is not an applied element but is recessed into the silverwork. On the back are the golden letters ХВ, the Orthodox Easter greeting.

What technically distinguishes this egg is its openwork design: parts of the silver are worked out to create a filigree lattice of tendrils and blossoms, through which one can see — one of the most demanding techniques in silversmithing. Into the openwork fields and onto the opened surfaces are set 25 bright stones, representing the buds of the Верба (pussy willows) — round and bright, like the branches that are blessed in Russian tradition on Palm Sunday instead of palm fronds. When the egg opens, a small gilded egg with an Orthodox cross and dense floral niello ornament lies in the center — a self-contained piece that stands on its own.

Usage and Occasions

The "Orthodox Crown" gift egg is a high-level religious gift — for a clergyman, for a church consecration, or for someone you want to give a piece that combines faith and silversmithing in one form. For baptism, it is a lasting gift from godparents, carrying symbolism beyond the celebration. In the Holy and Orthodox Gifts and in the Easter Gifts, you will find thematically suitable pieces.

Engraving and SilberVerse Card

Engraving is possible upon request — please contact us with your desired text, and we will check its feasibility directly on the piece. Upon request, we can include a personalized SilberVerse card in photo format (15 × 10 cm) — individually designed, suitable for the occasion, and currently free of charge.

Care

Clean the egg exclusively by hand with a soft, dry cotton cloth. The openwork fields and the set stones should be kept dry — no direct water on the settings. Please refrain from using silver polish and mechanical scrubbing, as both the niello inlay and the delicate openwork are sensitive. Store the egg dust-protected in its gift box or under a display case dome.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the egg open?

The egg splits open, revealing a small gilded egg with an Orthodox cross and niello ornament inside. When closed, it forms a continuous egg shape.

Which icon is depicted on the egg?

The Mother of God of Kazan (Kasanskaya) — one of the most revered icons of the Russian Orthodox Church, Mary with the Infant Jesus, in gold on a dark background.

What do the 25 bright stones mean?

They represent the buds of the Верба (pussy willows), which are blessed in Russian tradition on Palm Sunday — a symbol that carries the preparation for Easter.

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