Pair of Silver Cups “The Tsar’s Daughter” – Pushkin Series, 925 Silver Gold-Plated Inside with Niello

A mirror that tells the truth, an apple that brings misfortune, and seven knights who guard a house in the forest: anyone who knows Snow White will recognise a lot. Pushkin told it for Russia, SevChern engraves it on two silver cups in 925 silver, gold-plated inside. The pair is for people who love tales and give silver with a story: for a wedding, an anniversary, for collectors.

A rider in the storm and knights in helmets

On the first cup a rider charges through a storm, wind and clouds swirling around him. The second gathers the knights in their helmets around the tsar’s daughter with her headdress. Every line of the engraver sits in an oval picture field, framed by floral tendrils. The opposite side is filled by the cartouche with lyre and Cyrillic title.

Mirror, apple, forest house

The story begins with a tsarina who asks her mirror who is the fairest in the land. When it names the stepdaughter, she sends her into the forest. Seven knights take the young woman in, until the tsarina, disguised, stands at the door with a poisoned apple. In Pushkin, the bridegroom questions the whole world, sun, moon and wind, until the tsar’s daughter wakes. It is told further on the silver cutlery of the tsar’s daughter and the charki pair.

Silver, black and almost a relief

A pure engraving would stay pale. The fused-in dark mass gives the silver depth like a low relief, and every polish sharpens the contrast; the finish also includes the gilding, which this article describes. The series’ home is Veliky Ustyug, documented as a place of niello art since 1683. Paris 1937: the World’s Fair honoured the Artel Severnaya Chern of the time with gold, for tableware with Pushkin motifs; background can be found in the journal.

Two cups for big days

For a wedding you give a pair meant for two. For a silver wedding anniversary the shimmer of silver and gold fits, for the Christmas season the story under the tree. It also works for a milestone birthday or for collectors; a whole table is laid by the cutlery case for six people.

Frequently asked questions about The Tsar’s Daughter cups

Is gold-plated the same as gold?
No. Sterling silver 925 carries a thin layer of gold inside and on the rim. This gives the cup a warm shine, and the core remains silver.

Why does silver turn black in the dishwasher?
Detergents and heat make silver tarnish and can attack niello. Rinse the cups by hand, dry them immediately and read in the niello guide what they can take.

What does 925 on silver mean?
Sterling silver has a fineness of 925 per thousand. The rest is an added metal that hardens the alloy.

Who drinks from it?
The cups are meant for water, wine or vodka and for raising a toast. If you want more, add the charki pair with small cups for the same tale.

Can I get a dedication on The Tsar’s Daughter cups?
Yes, with the engraving service as an additional item. The “order note at checkout” is the place for your wording. SevChern and we then check whether room and execution fit together; otherwise you receive the flat fee back. If you prefer to give words without engraving, you get a SilberVerse: a verse created for your occasion and the names, free on request.