Children's plate silver 925 squirrel – bowl with niello & engraving

Children's Plate 925 Silver with Squirrel Motif — Niello Bowl, 250 ml

A squirrel sits on both sides of this silver bowl — embedded in dense tendril and leaf ornamentation, permanently worked into the silver using niello. The round bowl itself is polished to a mirror finish inside, without decoration: The motif belongs to the handles. Two wide, curved ornamental handles on the left and right each bear the complete squirrel image — fur, eyes, bushy tail — surrounded by ornamental tendrils that embed the figure in a forest scene. No printed animal image, no sticker: The motif is an inseparable part of the metal thanks to niello. Crafted by SevChern in Veliky Ustyug, Northern Russia, following a tradition that has remained unchanged for more than 340 years.

The Squirrel Niello — How the Motif Becomes a Permanent Part of the Decorative Handles

Niello is not a paint or a lacquer. It is a black metal alloy — composed of silver, copper, lead, and sulfur — which is melted into finely engraved depressions. On this children's bowl, this means: The squirrel on each handle, the tendrils, the ornamental filler motifs — everything is first hand-engraved into the silver. Then the niello mass is heated and applied into the grooves. After cooling, the surface is ground until the deep black niello finishes precisely flush with the gleaming silver.

The contrast is what carries the motif: the warm polished silver of the bowl and handles against the deep black of the squirrel scene. The figure — fur, the round belly, the bushy tail, the alert eyes — is visible with a sharpness that only niello achieves. The motif does not fade, does not wear off, does not detach. It is literally part of the metal. For a piece of children's tableware that is used daily and designed to last for decades, this is the crucial difference compared to any other decorative technique.

The tendrils that frame the squirrel on both handles are not a random filler ornament. They follow the classic style of the niello masters from Veliky Ustyug: figure and floral frame form a composition in which the animal sits in its environment — forest, movement, nature. The dense ornamentation of the tendrils makes the handles appear like small medallions framing the bowl on both sides.

Round Bowl, Two Handles — The Shape of This Silver Bowl

This children's bowl follows the form of a porringer — a round, shallow bowl with side handles, which has been crafted as children's tableware for centuries in European and Russian silversmithing traditions. The inner basin is smooth and polished to a mirror finish: no decoration that would make cleaning difficult, no grooves where food residues could accumulate. 250 ml capacity — the right size for baby food, soup, or oatmeal for small children.

The total length of 196 mm with handles and a width of 145 mm give the bowl good proportions for a children's table. At 38 mm high, the inner basin is shallow enough for a child to reach the bottom with a spoon. The handles are easy for children's hands to grasp — and secure for parents' hands: You can hold and pass the bowl without spilling the contents. Weight approx. 224 g — solid, but not too heavy for daily use.

925 Sterling Silver throughout: no base metal, no coating. The same material inside and out — food-safe, hygienic, and indefinitely durable. The hallmark on the bottom officially confirms this.

The Squirrel — A Nature Motif with Character

The squirrel is one of the few animal motifs that children immediately recognize — and that simultaneously tells a story: curiosity, dexterity, energy. An animal that climbs, gathers, plans — that is always in motion and never loses sight of its goal. On a silver bowl that accompanies a child from baptism, this motif has its own expressive power: not sickly sweet, not arbitrary, but lively.

The squirrel motif is gender-neutral — it suits girls and boys equally. As a baptism gift, birth gift, or birth keepsake, this bowl has its own language. And for those who want to create a whole niello squirrel world: The matching children's cup with the same motif is the SW10510 — also by SevChern, also 925 Sterling Silver, also niello squirrel.

SevChern Veliky Ustyug — Origin, Hallmark, and Over 340 Years of Niello Tradition

Veliky Ustyug is located in Northern Russia — and has been one of the most important centers of Russian silver processing since the 17th century. Niello works from Veliky Ustyug have been documented since 1683. SevChern is one of the few companies that still continues this tradition with artisanal depth today. Each piece is hand-engraved and filled with niello — not a mechanical process, but a procedure that requires experience and precision. The niello tradition of Veliky Ustyug carries a geographically protected designation of origin: genuine niello from Veliky Ustyug may only be produced there.

The hallmark on this children's bowl is the formal proof: 925 Sterling Silver, Russian state hallmark, manufacturer's mark SevChern. For hallmarked Russian silver objects, this is legally regulated and secured by state controls. A piece with a clear origin, clear material proof — and a story that grows with the child.

As a Baptism Gift or Birthday Present — A Lasting Bowl

A children's bowl made of 925 silver is not an item that will be replaced after one season. The squirrel bowl is initially everyday tableware — the shallow shape is suitable for baby food, muesli, fruit slices — and later a keepsake to be cherished. The niello motif on both handles holds special significance: It is solid, durable, unchangeable — an image as old as the silver itself.

Ready for gifting: gift box included. Personal engraving is possible on request — a name, a date, a short sentence. An engraved children's bowl clearly belongs to this child and this moment. If desired, the bowl can also be combined with a SilverVerse card: 10 × 15 cm, individually inscribed, on request.

Care and Frequently Asked Questions

925 Sterling Silver with niello decoration is easier to care for than many people think. Hand wash with warm water and mild dish soap — a soft cloth is sufficient. No dishwasher, no aggressive cleaning agents, no silver dip. A light tarnish layer can be removed with a silver polishing cloth. The niello is resistant to normal care and does not change color or depth.

What kind of shape is this — plate or bowl?
It is a shallow, round bowl with two wide side handles — known in the silversmithing tradition as a porringer or children's bowl. The inner basin is open and shallow (38 mm high), with a 250 ml capacity. Suitable for baby food, soup, or muesli — not a flat dinner plate, but a bowl with depth.

Where exactly is the squirrel motif located?
The niello motif is on both side handles — each a complete squirrel image, framed by ornamental tendrils. The inner basin of the bowl is smoothly polished, without decoration. The handles are designed on both sides as independent image fields.

Is there a matching cup for the set?
Yes. The children's cup SW10510 features the same squirrel motif in niello — also SevChern, also 925 Sterling Silver, 125 ml capacity. The plate and cup are identical in material and technique and can be used together as a set.

Is the bowl suitable for daily use?
Yes. 925 Sterling Silver is food-safe and suitable for daily use. The niello is permanently set in the silver and will not be damaged by normal use. Simply rinse briefly after eating and wipe dry — that's enough for everyday care.

What is niello — and why does the motif remain permanent?
Niello is a metal alloy of silver, copper, lead, and sulfur, which is melted into engraved depressions. After polishing, it sits flush with the silver surface — firmly bonded to the metal, not applied. It cannot detach, chip, or fade.

What distinguishes 925 silver from silver-plated children's tableware?
Silver-plated children's tableware has a thin layer of silver on a non-precious base metal — this wears off over time. 925 Sterling Silver is solid: the same precious metal inside and out, no layer that could peel off. The hallmark officially confirms this.

Further silver gifts for children:
→ Children's cups in 925 silver — all motifs
→ Children's tableware 925 silver — sets and individual pieces
→ Baptism gifts in 925 silver
→ Baby gift sets in 925 silver
→ Silver gifts for girls — birth and baptism