The tea strainer “Nielloa Tea Egg” with chain - 925 silver

A tea infuser is the most compact form for loose-leaf tea: a perforated sphere that opens, is filled with tea leaves, and dipped into a cup on a chain. This tea infuser, made of 925 sterling silver, features a lyre-shaped pendant with a floral niello ornament and belongs to the Nielloa collection by SevChern from Veliky Ustyug.

At a Glance

• Material: 925 Sterling Silver
• Dimensions: approx. L154 × W32 mm (including chain)
• Weight: approx. 30 g
• Shape: Spherical, perforated tea infuser with hinge, on a silver chain
• Decoration: Floral-ornamental niello on a lyre-shaped pendant
• Collection: Nielloa
• Scope of delivery: 1 tea infuser on chain + gift box

Material and Workmanship

The sphere itself remains plain polished silver with fine perforations through which the tea aroma infuses into the cup. At the upper end of the chain is a lyre-shaped pendant, its surface entirely covered with a floral niello ornament—vines and floral shapes melted darkly into the silver. Niello is not a coating, but an alloy of silver, copper, lead, and sulfur, melted into engraved depressions, then ground flat and polished. The ornament cannot detach or fade because it has become part of the metal itself. SevChern from Veliky Ustyug performs this hand engraving—each master with their own signature in the linework.

Use and Occasions

To steep, the sphere is opened, filled with loose-leaf tea, and closed again. The chain rests over the rim of the cup, allowing the infuser to be safely removed without risk of scalding. A silver tea infuser makes an excellent gift for people who cherish tea as a daily ritual—for birthdays, Mother's Day, housewarmings, or as a small but elegant token of appreciation alongside a larger gift. For someone who wants to give a tea-loving guest a present without opting for an entire tea set, this piece offers a compact yet high-quality choice.

Engraving and SilberVerse Card

Upon request, we can engrave a dedication on the pendant—please contact us before ordering to discuss which area is suitable. With every engraving, we include a SilberVerse card: a 15 × 10 cm landscape photograph, digitally designed and individually inscribed, currently free of charge. This turns the tea infuser into a complete, personal gift.

Care

After each use, rinse with lukewarm water and dry thoroughly. Tea residues can be removed with a soft brush—no dishwasher, no abrasive cleaners. Dab the niello ornament lightly, do not rub; with each gentle polish, the surface will become more contrasting rather than duller.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which types of tea are suitable for the tea infuser?

For all loose-leaf teas—black tea, green tea, oolong, herbal, and fruit teas. For very finely cut tea, an additional paper filter insert may be useful to prevent anything from passing through the perforations.

How does a tea infuser differ from a tea strainer spoon?

The tea infuser hangs on a chain in the cup and is pulled out by the end of the chain. A tea strainer spoon, on the other hand, is held by the handle and dipped directly—practical if you don't want the strainer to hang.

What does the niello ornament on the pendant mean?

It is a floral pattern in traditional niello technique, as practiced in Veliky Ustyug for centuries. The vine and floral shapes are purely decorative and not tied to a specific symbol.

You might also be interested in

Further tableware for the tea table can be found in our selection of 925 silver tableware and silverware. If you are looking for a suitable gift for another occasion, take a look at our gift ideas made of 925 silver.