Silver Cutlery “Fisherman and Fish” – Pushkin Series, 4-Piece, 925 Silver Gold-Plated with Niello

A place setting with room for an entire story: tablespoon, dinner fork, dinner knife and teaspoon carry scenes from Pushkin’s tale of the fisherman and the fish on their backs. The cutlery in 925 sterling silver is made for people who like to have something to tell at the table, and it comes ready to give in its wooden box.

The scenes on spoon, fork and knife

Turn the place setting over and the story begins. On the tablespoon stand the old man and the old woman, and in the handle below a large scaly fish twists. The fork shows a fish beneath a net, and in its handle the old man sits with his trough. The teaspoon carries a figure in splendid robes, and in its handle the fisherman stands with his net. Around the knife handle run waves and the fisherman at the water.

What the tale is about

A poor fisherman pulls a fish into his net, and it begs for its freedom. He lets it swim away and asks for nothing. His wife keeps sending him back to the sea all the same: first for a new trough, then for a house, finally for noble rank and the tsar’s crown. With every wish the water grows more restless, until the fish falls silent and the old woman is sitting in front of her hut again. Many know the story from the Brothers Grimm’s “The Fisherman and His Wife”; Pushkin tells it in its Russian version.

Niello from Veliky Ustyug

Behind the pictures stands niello, best understood as ink in silver: the lines are engraved into the silver, the recesses are filled with a dark mass and fired in, so that the drawing sits in the metal rather than on it. Niello art has been documented in Veliky Ustyug since 1683, and SevChern carries it on there; how the graver works is described in the article about the graver. Paris 1937: the World’s Fair honoured the Artel Severnaya Chern of the time with gold, for tableware after Pushkin’s tales. In the shop, we call our niello pieces Nielloa.

For a wedding, an anniversary, a celebration

A place setting with a story suits a wedding anniversary, a silver wedding anniversary and a milestone birthday. As a business gift it shows connoisseurship, and anyone collecting the Pushkin Series adds this tale to the line.

Frequently asked questions about the Fisherman and Fish cutlery

What does gold-plated mean for cutlery?
A fine layer of gold lies on the silver, here on the bowls, the tines and the handles. It is not solid gold; the core remains 925 silver, as the hallmark shows.

What is niello silver?
Silver with dark lines fused into the engraving. It is not lacquer and not a print, and the contrast grows stronger with every polish.

Are there matching pieces?
Yes: the pair of cups Fisherman and Fish tells the same tale, and the cutlery case for six people carries scenes from Pushkin’s tales on all 24 pieces.

How do I care for the cutlery?
Wash by hand in lukewarm water and dry immediately. The dishwasher, silver dips and household remedies such as aluminium foil or baking soda attack niello. The reason is explained in the niello guide.

Can I add a dedication or engraving?
Yes, and this is how: the engraving service goes into the cart together with the cutlery, and in the “order note at checkout” field you write what you wish for. Afterwards we clarify with SevChern how much room there is and what the execution looks like; if it is not possible, we refund the flat fee. If you would like to give words without engraving, you can have a SilberVerse: a verse created individually for the occasion and name, free on request.