Christening Set Angel 925 Silver Antique Blackened — Spoon + Cross Pendant

A child first understands the world with their hands, not with their eyes. This spoon takes that seriously: at the top of the handle sits an angel as a three-dimensional figure, beneath it stars, a moon, and small hearts run along the grip — all raised, all palpable. An Orthodox cross is attached to the eyelet. Both pieces come in a hinged case, with a satin ribbon on the spoon.

The Baptism Set with Angel: What's Included

Two pieces that take different paths. The spoon is kept short at 113 millimeters and made for a child's hand — it stays in the house and later moves to a display cabinet. The cross measures two centimeters and waits until the child is old enough to wear it. A chain is intentionally not included: the parents decide on the length and timing.

The set is not gender-specific — no pink, no blue, just silver and the darkly defined reliefs. The same combination is also available in a gilded version, where the moon and stars are set in gold. You can find further combinations under Baptism Gift Sets.

Stars, Moon, and Hearts to Touch

The handle is not a smooth piece of metal. Raised motifs are present along its entire length: a crescent moon, several stars of different sizes, with hearts in between. A child holding the spoon automatically feels them — and that's precisely the aim of this manufacturer's tactile line, developed for early childhood development.

The angel at the top of the handle is fully three-dimensional, with sculpted wings, curly hair, and folded hands. It is thus more a figure than an image — something you can hold in your hand. Related pieces with palpable reliefs can be found in the tactile collection.

The Antique Blackening — And What It Is Not

The indentations between the reliefs are set off in dark tones. This makes the stars and the angel stand out three-dimensionally, as light and shadow are no longer absorbed by the polished silver. This is achieved through a surface blackening, with which the manufacturer intentionally pre-ages the piece.

Two things you should know about this. First: This is not niello. Niello is a black metal paste melted into recessed lines and firmly bonded with the silver — a completely different technique originating in Veliky Ustyug. The blackening here is on the surface. Second, the blackening is not lacquer or paint, so it cannot chip off, and at the same time acts as a protective layer against further darkening — the piece will look the same in five years as it does today. The raised areas can be carefully brightened with a silver polishing cloth without lightening the indentations.

If you like this look, it's worth checking out the Orthodox Baptism Spoon "Holy Angel", which is made using the same technique.

Consecrated in Kolchugino

The pieces in this series are consecrated before delivery — by the local Orthodox community of the Svyato-Pokrovsky Church in Kolchugino, Vladimir region, Alexandrov Eparchy of the Moscow Patriarchate. A small certificate to this effect is included in the case.

For Orthodox families, this is often the point where a baptism gift differs from a pretty spoon. Those looking for this aspect can find other pieces under Orthodox gifts made of 925 silver.

The Orthodox Cross

The pendant is small yet fully crafted: the ends of the bars terminate in a clover shape, with the body in relief in the center. The three-leaved ends symbolize the Trinity in Christian iconography; this form is widespread for Orthodox baptismal crosses. The surface remains polished — without enamel, without gilding.

Care: To Preserve the Design

After use, warm water, mild dish soap, and a soft cloth are sufficient. No dishwasher, no abrasive cleaners, and especially no silver dip bath — such a bath would dissolve the dark indentations and remove what makes the piece special. A silver polishing cloth on the raised areas is perfectly sufficient. This is detailed in our silver care instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Baptism Set

From what age is the spoon suitable?
As cutlery from the age of complementary feeding. It is usually given earlier — for baptism, often already at birth.

Does the blackening come off when washing?
No. The blackening is not paint or lacquer, but a surface treatment of the silver. Warm water and dish soap do not harm it. Only silver dip baths are taboo.

Is the set for a girl or a boy?
For both. It does not use colored enamel and is therefore gender-neutral — practical if you are giving a gift before birth or do not know the gender.

How can the set be personalized?
Through a SilverVerse card: a printed card with a verse or dedication that accompanies the gift. Examples can be found in the SilverVerse Card Gallery.

Is silver safe for a baby?
925 Sterling silver has been common for cutlery for centuries and is nickel-free. Like any children's cutlery, the spoon should be used under supervision; due to its size, the pendant is not for infants.

Does it come with a chain?
No. The set includes the spoon and pendant; parents choose the chain later to suit the child's age.