Mocca Cups 925 Silver Niello Set of 2 — Goblet, Floral Motif, SevChern

Two mocha cups, designed as a pair: the same niello floral motif on both walls, the same goblet shape, the same base. For those who want to give a gift to two people who drink their coffee or tea together, this 2-piece set made of 925 sterling silver embodies precisely this idea — not two randomly assembled individual pieces, but a set with its own symmetry.

At a glance

• Contents: 2 mocha cups made of 925 sterling silver, niello
• Niello motif: Floral motif — lush blossoms and tendrils, all around
• Shape: Goblet cup on a round base, with handle
• Capacity: 110 ml per cup
• Diameter: 72 mm
• Width with handle: 95 mm
• Height: 90 mm
• Weight: approx. 138 g per cup
• Manufacturer: SevChern, Veliky Ustyug, Northern Russia
• Hallmark: present
• Engraving: available upon request
• Gift box: included, both cups packaged together

Material and craftsmanship

The floral motif, which runs as a wide, deep black band around the wall of both cups, is not applied paint. Niello is a black metal alloy of silver, copper, lead, and sulfur, which is melted into finely engraved depressions and permanently bonded with the silver base — a chemical-physical bond, not lacquer or enamel. Every blossom, every tendril was hand-engraved into the silver, with a second, delicate niello line at the base rim echoing the main motif. The result is indelible: deep black against bright polished silver, without a third element in between. SevChern manufactures in Veliky Ustyug in a tradition that has been documented there since 1683 — a continuity that is geographically protected, similar to the designation of origin for Champagne from the Champagne region. In 1937, this niello tradition was awarded a gold medal at the World Exhibition in Paris. Each cup goes through six production stages from the shaping of the silver blank to the final polishing and hallmarking, confirmed by the Russian Federal Assay Chamber.

Usage and occasions

The goblet shape with its wide, upward-opening trumpet form and slender stem is one of the oldest cup designs in Russian silversmithing — originally intended for drinking vessels at festive occasions. One holds a goblet cup differently than an ordinary coffee cup: by the stem, with the base under the fingers. 110 ml is the classic size for a concentrated coffee, mocha, or small tea. The solid silver wall conducts heat evenly, and the side handle makes the cup easy to handle even with hot contents. A 2-piece set has its own logic as a gift: it is intended for two people. For weddings, anniversaries, silver weddings, or milestone birthdays of a couple who drink their coffee together, this set is particularly suitable. The floral motif symbolizes abundance and blossoming without interruption. As a display piece, both cups stand as a pair on a sideboard or in a glass display cabinet before the first guest arrives — two identical goblet cups create a symmetry that a single piece cannot achieve.

Engraving and SilberVerse card

Personal engraving is possible upon request — on the bottom of the cup or on a less ornamented spot, with a date, initials, or a short dedication. This transforms the set into a piece that belongs to no other story than the one for which it was engraved. Upon request, we will also include a SilberVerse card in photo format 15 × 10 cm landscape, currently free of charge and individually designed — a personal gesture that completes the handover.

Care

The same rule applies to both cups: hand wash only with lukewarm water and mild dish soap. No dishwasher, no ultrasonic cleaner, no silver dip — these methods damage the niello inlay. The floral motif is permanently melted in and does not fade, but does not require aggressive cleaning. A soft silver polishing cloth is sufficient for the polished silver surfaces. Store dry, ideally in the included gift box. With genuine use, silver develops a patina that makes the niello motif stand out even more — those who polish regularly maintain the bright glossy surface. Both are correct, both are silver.

Frequently asked questions

Why is it called a mocha cup and not a cappuccino cup?
Cappuccino cups hold 150 to 220 ml, significantly more than the 110 ml of these cups. A mocha cup is classically 80 to 120 ml — perfect for a strong short coffee, espresso lungo, Turkish mocha, or small tea. The designation precisely describes the size.

Are these cups suitable for everyday use?
Yes. 925 sterling silver is food-safe and robust enough for regular use. Hand washing only is important, no dishwasher. This way, both cups retain their quality for decades and become more beautiful, not worse, with use.

What distinguishes these cups from silver-plated tableware?
Silver-plated tableware has a thin layer of silver on another base metal, which wears off over time. These mocha cups are made of solid 925 sterling silver — the wall thickness, foot, and handle are solid silver throughout. They can be polished, repaired, and passed down without losing a coating. The hallmark officially confirms the composition.

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