Liturgical Chalice 925 Silver Niello — Potir Christ Gilded

A liturgical chalice, with Christ in the center of its cup, surrounded by apostles and saints – each figure in its own arcade, hand-engraved in niello. This potir is not an ordinary drinking vessel, but the central instrument of the Orthodox Divine Liturgy, in which wine is transformed into the blood of Christ. Silver, fine gold, and niello-black come together in a work that reads like a portable icon.

At a Glance

• Material: 925 Sterling Silver with Fine Gold Plating (entire interior, rim, knop, base)
• Technique: Niello hand-engraving, iconographic depiction, and floral ornament
• Diameter: Ø 127 mm
• Height: 210 mm
• Volume: 600 ml
• Weight: approx. 580 g

Material and Workmanship

On the cup of this chalice stand figures – not ornaments, but saintly figures in the tradition of Orthodox icon painting. Christ in the center, recognizable by the cross-halo, in the posture of the Pantocrator (Ruler of All), flanked by apostles and saints. Each figure stands in its own arcade with a pointed arch, separated by ornamental columns. Faces, garments, and halos are executed in niello hand-engraving – black on silver, with golden accents on halos and liturgical vestments. At the base of the chalice, the engraving continues in a floral grapevine ornament. The interior gilding of this chalice is not decoration but canonical obligation: In Orthodox liturgy, the holy may only touch a precious metal, which is why every liturgical chalice is completely gilded on the inside. In this piece, the gilding is done in fine gold and extends to the rim, the knop (the decorated knob on the stem), and the base. The chalice is crafted in the SevChern manufactory in Veliky Ustyug, where the same niello hand-engraving has been cultivated for generations.

Usage and Occasions

The potir (from the Greek ποτήριον – drinking vessel) is the central instrument of the Orthodox Divine Liturgy. In it, wine is mixed with water and transformed into the blood of Christ; during communion, the priest offers bread and wine together from the chalice. Before its first liturgical use, the chalice must be consecrated by a bishop or priest. A potir is also a meaningful gift: for priestly ordination, as a donation to a community – one of the most traditional forms of Orthodox support for church life – or for major holidays like Easter. Regardless of its liturgical use, the chalice is also a piece of special standing for collectors of sacred silversmith art.

Engraving and SilberVerse Card

Upon request, the donor's name, dedication, or a date can be engraved on the base or the lower rim of the chalice – the cup with the saintly figures remains untouched. With every engraving, we include a SilberVerse card in landscape format 15 × 10 cm: currently free of charge, digitally designed and printed in photo format – a unique personal item to accompany this special gift.

Care

Clean gently by hand, polish dry with a soft cloth. Do not put in the dishwasher. Treat the fine gold plating with care when cleaning, do not use abrasive agents or hard brushes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can this chalice be used in Orthodox liturgy?

Yes, it meets the canonical requirements: 925 silver as the base material, full interior gilding with fine gold, an appropriate volume of 600 ml, and an iconographic depiction on the cup. Before its first liturgical use, the chalice must be consecrated by a bishop or priest.

Why is the chalice gilded on the inside?

According to Orthodox tradition, the transformed blood of Christ may only touch a precious metal. The interior gilding made of fine gold fulfills this canonical requirement and is also food-safe and taste-neutral.

Is engraving possible?

Upon request, the donor's name, dedication, or date can be engraved on the base or the lower rim. The cup with the saintly figures remains untouched.

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You can find more silver objects for special occasions in our Gift Ideas in 925 Silver and in our range of Table Silver and Silverware.