Sugar bowl, 925 sterling silver, gold-plated – “Hops” collection | Historical design (1969)

This 925 sterling silver sugar bowl features a pattern with its own history: the Hop design, developed in 1969 and continued unchanged to this day at the SevChern manufactory. Two richly gilded handles flank the body, a gilded ring marks the base, and the lid is finished with a gilded knob. Between these lies the actual motif: dense hop leaves in dark niello, from which golden hop cones stand out — a contrast that appears both elegant and warm.

The Hop motif is among the most significant silver collections of the 20th century in Russia: floral leaves, intertwined vines, and deep engraved lines that received awards at the time and are still considered a reference today. This sugar bowl ties directly into that heritage.

At a glance

• Material: 925 sterling silver, gilded
• Capacity: 250 ml — ideal for sugar, chocolates, or rock candy
• Design: iconic Hop pattern from 1969
• Technique: hand-engraved niello
• Gilding: two handles, lid knob, base ring
• Collection: Hop

Note: We currently have no binding information regarding the diameter, height, or weight of this product. We will add these values as soon as they are confirmed by the manufactory.

Material and craftsmanship

The Hop pattern is created in several steps: first, the foliage is hand-engraved into the 925 silver, then the black niello inlay — like ink in silver — is applied into the indentations, melted down, sanded flat, and polished. The hop cones themselves remain gilded, clearly distinguishing them from the dark foliage. Niello does not become duller with the years, but rather more expressive: with every polish, the contrasts between the dark ornamentation and the gilding deepen.

Usage and occasions

The sugar bowl is intended for the set coffee and tea table — for the exclusive Sunday coffee table just as much as for the classic tea hour. With a 250 ml capacity, it is suitable for cube or rock sugar, but also for small chocolates as a table gesture. As a standalone piece, it complements an existing service with the characteristic Hop pattern; as a gift for an anniversary or wedding, it stands for constancy and an eye for a detail that elevates the entire coffee table. For collectors of Russian tableware, it is a point of connection to a design that has been considered a benchmark for over fifty years.

Care

Cleaning should be done exclusively by hand washing with a soft cloth. No dishwasher, no aggressive cleaning agents, or scouring milk — both the gilding and the niello inlays are sensitive to mechanical stress. A special silver polishing cloth is suitable for the occasional refreshment of the polished surfaces.

Frequently asked questions

Is the sugar bowl for active use or purely a collector's item?
Both. The sugar bowl can be used in everyday life, but it is also a value-retaining art object for the display cabinet.

What makes the Hop pattern special?
It dates back to 1969 and is considered one of the most important Russian silver collections of the 20th century. The floral ornamentation with its deep engraved lines was awarded at the time and continues to be produced unchanged to this day.

Are there matching service pieces for the sugar bowl?
You can find more pieces with the same Hop pattern in our assortment for coffee and tea tableware — feel free to contact us if you would like to put together a matching ensemble.

You might also be interested in

You can find more pieces with hand-engraved niello and gilding in our Tableware & Silverware collection. For further occasions, it is worth taking a look at our Gift ideas in 925 sterling silver.