Schnapps Goblet Silver 925 Niello Set of 2 30 ml — Charka

Silver 925 Shot Glasses — The Charka Set in Appearance

Are you looking for a silver shot glass that doesn't disappear in the cupboard but rather tells stories on the table? This 2-piece set made of 925 sterling silver is the answer. Two weighty Charka glasses, each 30 ml, from the SevChern manufactory in Veliky Ustyug — one of the three major centers of Russian niello silver craftsmanship. Black niello ornament, fully gilded inside, the trumpet base in warm gold, the upper rim framed by a wide gold line. A piece that sounds noticeably different from any glass from the first toast.

Shape, Interior Gilding & the Triple Gilded Engraving

Each Charka glass feels heavy in hand — compact, weighty, with a firm stand on the narrow trumpet base. This is how a ritual vessel should be: not thin crystal glass, but solid 925 silver with substance. The first time you pick it up, you immediately notice — this is real, no imitation.

The gilding is triple. First, the entire interior is fully gilded — fine gold protects the silver from vodka and fruit brandy, imparts no taste of its own, and provides a warm gold contrast to the black niello outside. Second, the trumpet base is completely in gold. And third — this is the highlight — even the fine silver stitches of the hand engraving are individually re-gilded. This is a detail that is hardly visible in the photo but immediately recognizable in hand. Small but refined. This is how SevChern works.

In the center, each glass bears a niello ornament: a stylized flower with a rosette, framed by leaves and tendrils. The silversmith does the engraving by hand, not by machine. This means: each glass is slightly different. Slight differences between the two glasses in the set are not a flaw but proof that it is genuine handwork. And honestly: the live product is usually even more beautiful than the photo.

Ice Cold from the Freezer — How to Serve

The Charka is a ritual vessel. Vodka, fine fruit brandies, or liqueurs go into the freezer with the glasses for ten minutes. Immediately before pouring, both are removed. The silver is ice-cold, and it further chills the drink upon pouring — a physical effect that crystal and porcelain cannot achieve.

Then the toast. In Russia, toasting has a fixed order of speeches: first to the hosts, then to the parents, then to the future. When clinking, the silver produces a clear, fine sound — glass never sounds like this. Vodka is drunk in one gulp, never neat. Immediately afterwards, one reaches for zakuski: a pickled cucumber, herring on black bread, a spoonful of caviar, a piece of smoked bacon. Ice-cold vodka plus hearty appetizers — that is the heart of Russian drinking culture. From the tsarist table to today's toast ritual. A must, not an option.

Silver Glass 925 in Comparison — Crystal, Stopka, Porcelain

Why a silver glass 925 and not the classic crystal shot glass? Crystal looks beautiful and clearly displays the spirit — but it doesn't cool, it's not handmade, you can get it in any department store. A silver shot glass is different: it noticeably cools, clinks clearer, and feels heavy in hand. For connoisseurs and spirits lovers, the silver drinking glass or liqueur glass remains the first choice — whether as a vodka glass or for fine fruit brandies. Porcelain is warm to the touch, but too light. It doesn't cool and lacks the weight of a Charka.

The simple Stopka is the everyday glass in modern Russia — thin-walled, fifty milliliters, mass-produced glass. In modern Russian, Stopka and Charka mean almost the same vessel, but the tone is different: Stopka sounds like everyday life, Charka like celebration and feast. This set here is a genuine Charka — with silver, niello, and a base. A pewter mug also cools, but that's a Nordic-Germanic tradition, not a Russian niello school.

The Charka — From Tsarist Gift to Family Relic

The Charka has been part of the Russian table for 500 years. The word comes from Turkish — a Turkish loanword. The basic form is чара (Chara), чарка is the diminutive. The oldest Charka in the world is now in the Kremlin Armory in Moscow (Оружейная палата). It is dated to the year 1515 — the 1515 Kremlin Armory Charka, five centuries old. In the past, the Charka was also a unit of measure: approximately 123 milliliters, one-hundredth of a Russian bucket. Today, it is no longer a measure but a ritual vessel with 30 to 60 milliliters — enough for an ice-cold vodka.

From the 17th and 18th centuries, the Charka became an art object: decorated with niello, enamel, or finely chased patterns. It graced every festive table. And it was a classic gift for weddings, anniversaries, or to honor deserving men — family relics passed down from generation to generation. Veliky Ustyug in northern Russia has been one of Russia's three major niello centers since the 17th century, along with Tula and Kubachi in the Caucasus. And the SevChern manufactory continues to work in this tradition to this day — 340 years, officially recognized as Russian folk art and craft.

Engraving, Set Expansion & SilverVerse Card

We engrave upon request: name, initials, date, or a short dedication. Each engraving is custom-made. The standard set has two glasses, but SevChern also produces sets of 4 or 6 — simply indicate in the order field, and we will get back to you with delivery date and price. With every personalized piece, we include a SilverVerse card in photo format, free of charge, individually designed to suit the occasion.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Silver Charka Shot Glass

Why are the glasses gilded inside?
Three reasons. First, the gold protects the silver from alcohol and acid — important for vodka and fruit brandy. Second, gold imparts no taste of its own; pure silver, on the other hand, can taste somewhat metallic. And third, the contrast simply looks good: dark niello outside, warm gold inside. This is how it has been done in Russia since the 18th century.

Are both glasses in the set exactly the same?
No, and that is a sign of quality. Each glass is engraved and nielloed by hand — there are slight differences in the ornament between the two. Not a flaw, but proof that it is indeed handmade. The fine silver stitches are additionally gilded individually, a detail that is hardly visible in the photo. In hand, the live product is usually more beautiful than the picture.

What is the difference between Charka and Stopka?
Today, both words in Russian mean almost the same thing — a small shot vessel. The difference is the tone: Stopka is the everyday word, Charka the festive one. Whoever says Stopka means the simple glass on the kitchen table. Whoever says Charka means the silver with niello on the festive table. This set is a Charka for good reason: silver, niello, base — this is the celebration version.

How do I properly care for the silver Charka?
Wash by hand only, with lukewarm water. Never in the dishwasher — the hot detergent will attack the gilding. Dry immediately after rinsing, a soft cloth is sufficient. Please do not scrub the interior gilding and do not use scouring powder. The niello black stays dark on its own; you don't need to do anything. If the polished silver outside tarnishes slightly, a silver polishing cloth will help.

What occasions is this set suitable for as a gift?
For a silver wedding anniversary, golden wedding anniversary, round birthday, as a father-son gift, for a name day, retirement, as an honor, or for a company anniversary for a business partner or a man with style. Also suitable for collectors of Russian silver art, tableware collectors, or the Russian community looking for a truly festive vessel. Two glasses symbolize togetherness — the classic motif for two to toast together. More ideas can be found in the Anniversary Gifts Collection, among Luxury Gifts for Men, and in the Father's Day Collection.

Can I expand the set to four or six glasses?
Yes. SevChern produces any set as 2, 4, or 6 on request — for a larger table setting or as a gradually growing collection. Please specify the desired quantity in the order field, and we will get back to you with the delivery date and price.

What does the Russian inscription on the gift box mean?
The box says in Cyrillic Открой для себя красоту. This means: "Discover the beauty for yourself." The box is the original from Veliky Ustyug — this is how every piece leaves the manufactory.