Tea service 925 silver with niello for two

There is a green that one does not forget. Apple green, cool and vibrant, set in polished 925 sterling silver and framed by deep black niello ornamentation. On each spoon handle, on the side of the sugar bowl: a round chrysoprase stone that carries the entire effect of this 7-piece tea set. Two cups, two saucers, two teaspoons, and a sugar bowl on a slender goblet base combine four techniques, each of which takes a lifetime to master: hand engraving, niello inlay, filigree work, and chrysoprase setting.

At a Glance

• Set contents (7 pieces): 2 cups, 2 saucers, 2 teaspoons, 1 sugar bowl
• Cup (per piece): L 98 × W 68 × H 70 mm, 125 ml, approx. 102 g
• Saucer (per piece): D 111 × H 15 mm, approx. 89 g
• Teaspoon (per piece): L 135 × W 29 mm, approx. 24.5 g
• Sugar bowl: D 151 × W 205 × H 92 mm, 550 ml, approx. 358.5 g
• Total weight of set: approx. 0.9 kg
• Material: 925 Sterling Silver, Chrysoprase inlays
• Technique: Niello inlay, hand engraving, filigree work, satin finish
• Hallmark present, engraving possible upon request
• Origin: Russia, traditional silversmithing

Material and Workmanship

Chrysoprase is not a stone chosen by chance. It is apple green to emerald, its hue created by nickel oxide inclusions in chalcedony quartz, and it appears to glow from within. In the Russian silversmithing tradition, chrysoprase always remained the exception — its setting requires the silver to hold the stone without crushing it, while also matching the rest of the ornamentation. In this set, the stone is not at the edge, but in the center: on each spoon handle at the heart of the ornamental handle end, on the sugar bowl as luminous points along the rim. The black pattern on the cups — generous floral rosettes, delicate curved tendrils — is niello: an alloy of silver, copper, lead, and sulfur, melted at around 800 degrees Celsius and poured into previously hand-engraved depressions. What results is not a surface on the silver, but a chemical-physical bond with it that does not chip or fade. Each motif was first engraved, then filled with niello — at least 15 steps per piece. The handles of the cups are additionally crafted in filigree: fine silver wires connected to an openwork lattice pattern that remains stable despite its openness. The silversmith works under a magnifying glass, with tweezers and a blowtorch, millimeter by millimeter.

Use and Occasions

Seven pieces, exactly for two people — not a random number, but a decision. This set is not intended for a grand dinner party, but for a moment à deux: in the morning, when the house is still quiet, or in the evening, when the day comes to an end. As a golden wedding anniversary gift, it honors fifty years together; for a 60th, 70th, or 80th birthday, it suits someone who has already collected beauty in their life. This tea set is also the right choice as an anniversary gift, a wedding gift for a couple with a sense of beauty, or an object for a collector of Russian silverwork.

Engraving and SilberVerse Card

An engraving can be added to the set upon request — an initial, a date, a short dedication. We are happy to advise you on the best placement and which font style suits the ornamentation. We also include a SilberVerse card in photo format 15 × 10 cm landscape orientation upon request — individually designed, suitable for the occasion, currently free of charge.

Care

A soft, lint-free cloth is sufficient for daily care. No ultrasonic cleaner, as it can loosen the niello inlay and chrysoprase settings, and no silver dip, as it attacks the niello alloy. Do not expose chrysoprase to direct sunlight for hours; in normal use, this is not an issue. Store the set in a soft cloth or case, separate from other silver objects. Niello silver does not weaken over time, but deepens: each polish deepens the contrasts, the black becomes deeper, the silver brighter.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is chrysoprase, and why is it so rare in silverwork?
Chrysoprase is an apple-green to emerald variety of chalcedony quartz, whose color is caused by microscopic nickel oxide inclusions. Its setting places special demands on the silversmith, which is why it is so rarely found in silverwork.

Niello versus enamel, what's the difference?
Enamel is molten glass applied to metal and fired, which can crack or chip over time. Niello is a metal alloy melted into silver at about 800 degrees, forming not a layer, but a chemical bond with the silver — more durable and becoming more beautiful with use.

Can I actually use the tea set, or is it purely decorative?
You can and should use it. 925 sterling silver is food-safe, niello is chemically inert after firing, and the chrysoprase stones are set in silver without coming into direct contact with the tea.

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