Teacup 925 Silver Niello — Silver Cup, Floral Motif, 300 ml

925 Niello Silver Goblet — Teacup with Handle, Floral Motif, and 300 ml in Hand

A cup that stands on its own. No saucer underneath, no tea strainer on top — just the cup, the floral motif, the weight in your hand. This 925 sterling silver teacup is part of SevChern's Kraft collection: a large-figured niello floral motif in the center, sunflowers and vines between two thin framing lines, polished silver at the top and bottom. 217 grams. 300 ml. Trumpet shape with a small base that lifts the cup from the table. A piece that stands alone — yet is part of a larger story.

SevChern from Veliky Ustyug crafted this cup according to the same principles that have distinguished this northern Russian manufactory since 1683: the floral motif hand-engraved into the silver, filled with niello, and permanently fused. No print. No decor that peels off.

Niello Floral Motif of the Kraft Collection — Large-Figured Blossoms on Polished Silver

The floral motif on this cup is the most striking feature of the Kraft collection: sunflowers in full bloom, sweeping vines, smaller individual blossoms — dense, space-filling, without empty spaces. The band sits in the middle of the cup wall, bordered by two thin niello lines that frame the motif and give it composition. Free, polished silver surface at the top. The same at the bottom. The dualism is clear: deep black niello against warm polished silver, no third color, no gold in between.

Niello is not an applied layer — it is a black metal alloy of silver, copper, lead, and sulfur, which is melted into finely engraved depressions and permanently bonded to the silver base. Every flower, every vine on this cup has been hand-engraved; no millimeter is accidental. The result does not fade, does not wear off — it remains as the engraver intended.

Anyone who sees this cup from a meter away immediately recognizes the motif. This is the difference between a large-figured and a small-patterned niello design: the floral motif of the Kraft collection doesn't need a closer look to make an impact. It speaks from a distance.

Trumpet Shape with Base — Why 300 ml is Different in This Shape

The trumpet shape of this cup — narrower at the bottom, flaring wide towards the top — is one of the most characteristic forms in Russian silversmithing. The small flared base slightly lifts the cup from the table, gives it visual weight, and makes it stable. At 100 mm high and 85 mm in diameter, this is a cup that has presence in the hand — and at 217 grams, it feels heavier than any ceramic cup of this size.

300 ml is the classic size for a serious tea: enough for a full infusion, small enough to drink warm. The cup wall made of solid 925 silver conducts heat evenly — the first sip and the last have the same temperature difference as with any other cup, but the silver in the hand conveys it differently. The loop handle is positioned on the side, stable, making the cup easy to handle even with hot contents.

As a display piece, this cup needs no contents. The trumpet shape with the niello band is a presence on a sideboard or in a glass display case that needs no explanation.

SevChern Veliky Ustyug — Origin, Hallmark, and Tradition

The SevChern manufactory in Veliky Ustyug, Vologda Oblast in Northern Russia, has been producing niello silver since 1683. The niello tradition of this city carries a geographically protected designation of origin — genuine niello from Veliky Ustyug may only be produced there, comparable to Champagne from Champagne or Parmesan from Emilia-Romagna. In 1937, this tradition received a gold medal at the World Exhibition in Paris.

This cup undergoes six production stages: shaping the silver blank — hand-engraving the floral motif — niello melting — grinding and revealing the motif — final polishing — quality control and hallmarking. The Russian Federal Assay Chamber confirms the 925 alloy with its hallmark. The master's personal manufactory mark is present. 217 grams don't lie.

Single Piece or Part of a Tea Set — What Fits What

This cup is the core of the Kraft collection. As a single piece — with a gift box, ready for presentation — it is a complete gift. Those who use the cup daily do not need a saucer or spoon: it stands alone, it functions alone.

Those who want the complete ritual will find it in the 4-piece tea set SW10211: the same cup, supplemented with a saucer, a tea strainer with lid, and a teaspoon — all four parts with the same floral motif, in a gift box. The tea strainer sits as a lid on the cup, keeping the tea warm while it steeps. Those who start with the single piece and later wish to expand to the complete set will find it in our collection of coffee and tea sets made of 925 silver.

Personal engraving is possible on request — on the bottom of the cup or in a less ornamented area. This makes this cup a piece that accompanies a specific person at a specific moment — and that remains.

As a Gift — Tea Lovers, Collectors, Birthdays, Anniversaries

A single silver cup as a gift has its own distinct message: it says that you know exactly what the other person needs. Not a set that is too much. Not too little. The piece that is missing — or that wasn't there yet. For weddings, anniversaries, birthdays: 217 grams of 925 silver with a niello floral motif and the history of a manufactory that has perfected the same technique since 1683.

For collectors of Russian silver art: complete hallmarking, documented origin, large-figured floral motif from the Kraft collection. The gift box is included — the piece is ready to be presented immediately.

Care and Frequently Asked Questions

The only rule: hand wash only with lukewarm water and mild detergent. No dishwasher, no silver dip, no ultrasonic cleaner. The niello floral motif is permanently fused and does not fade. For the polished silver surfaces, a soft silver polishing cloth is sufficient. Store dry, ideally in the accompanying gift box.

What is the difference between this single piece and the SW10211 tea set?
The SW10211 tea set includes the same cup plus a saucer, a tea strainer with lid, and a teaspoon — all with the same floral motif. This single piece is just the cup, in its own gift box. For those seeking the complete ritual: the 4-piece set. For those who want only the cup: this piece.

Is this really a silver goblet — or a teacup?
Both. The term "Silberbecher" (silver goblet) in German silversmithing tradition is the usual term for silver drinking vessels with handles — regardless of whether they are used as tea, coffee, or general drinking cups. This cup has a handle, holds 300 ml, and is suitable for all hot beverages. "Silberbecher" and "Teetasse" (teacup) describe the same piece from different perspectives.

What is niello — and why does the motif remain permanent?
Niello is a black metal alloy of silver, copper, lead, and sulfur, which is melted into engraved depressions and permanently bonded to the silver. Not a lacquer, not a paint, not a print — part of the metal itself. The motif does not fade and does not wear off.

How does this cup differ from silver-plated tableware?
Silver-plated tableware has a layer of silver on another base metal — this wears off. This cup is made of solid 925 sterling silver: wall thickness, base, handle — all silver. It can be polished, repaired, and passed down without losing a coating. The hallmark officially confirms the composition.

More pieces from the Kraft collection and Russian silver art:
→ 4-piece tea set with tea strainer — SW10211, complete set
→ Coffee & teacups made of 925 silver — all models
→ Coffee & tea ware with niello made of 925 silver
→ Wedding gifts made of 925 silver