Byzantium teaspoon 925 silver gold-plated with precious wood

A teaspoon with a beechwood handle, two silver ferrules, and a fully gold-plated bowl with floral niello ornamentation – a unique piece from the Byzantium collection by the SevChern manufactory in Veliky Ustyug. It combines three materials in one piece: oiled beechwood, 925 sterling silver, and 24-karat gold plating with black niello enamel. Those who already own the complete Byzantium table set can use this spoon to add a second dessert place setting; those discovering the line for the first time will find this unique piece a collector's item in its own right.

At a glance

• Material mix: Beechwood, 925 sterling silver, black niello inlay, 24-karat gold plating
• Scope of delivery: 1 teaspoon (sold individually)
• Length: approx. 154 mm
• Width (bowl): approx. 29 mm
• Weight: approx. 62 g (manufactory tolerance ± 5%)
• Collection: Byzantium (SevChern, Veliky Ustyug)
• Fineness: 925 sterling silver (silver ferrules)
• Delivery: in a manufactory gift box

Material and workmanship

The handle is turned from oiled beech, featuring a tight grain and warm hue. At both ends of the wooden handle, there is a 925 silver ferrule with floral-filigree niello ornamentation – black enamel set into engraved silver, fired in a kiln, and polished to a high shine. The bowl itself is fully gold-plated with 24-karat gold and features the same floral niello filigree as the ferrules, just executed on a larger scale. The precise joining of the wooden handle and the silver ferrule is an additional work step compared to solid silver spoons: the seam must remain invisible under close inspection, and the wood must not have any play within the ferrule. At around 62 grams, the spoon is significantly heavier than an ordinary teaspoon – a direct result of the triple material mix of wood, silver, and gold plating.

Use and occasions

The Byzantium teaspoon is sold individually because it serves three different purposes. Those who already own the four-piece Byzantium table set can use this spoon to create a second dessert place setting for guests or to replace a damaged piece. Those looking to give the line as a gift will find the individual spoon to be a targeted, smaller add-on item for a birthday or family anniversary for someone already familiar with the set. And for collectors who appreciate Russian silverware with niello decoration, the spoon makes a fine solitaire for a display case or an introduction to the material language of the Byzantium line before making a larger purchase.

Care

The material mix requires a single universal care rule: hand wash, no standing water, immediate drying. Wipe the spoon after use with a slightly damp cloth and dry it immediately with a soft cotton cloth. Avoid hot dishwater and the dishwasher – beechwood will swell when exposed to standing moisture, and aggressive cleaning agents will damage the gold plating and black niello inlay. Once or twice a year, you can treat the wooden handle with a drop of wood oil, such as linseed or walnut oil.

Frequently asked questions

Can I expand the Byzantium set with this teaspoon?
Yes – the four-piece Byzantium set already includes one teaspoon per place setting. Anyone needing a second dessert place setting or looking for a replacement piece can reorder this spoon individually, featuring the identical material construction with a beechwood handle, silver ferrules, and a gold-plated niello bowl.

Is a personal engraving possible?
Engraving is not intended for this model, as the silver ferrule between the wooden handle and the bowl is too narrow for a clean, legible engraving.

How do I care for beechwood, gold plating, and niello together?
By hand washing and drying immediately. No standing water, no dishwasher, occasionally a little wood oil for the handle.

You might also be interested in

Goes well with a complete table configuration featuring beechwood handles from the silverware and cutlery assortment. For more gift ideas with silver cutlery, it is also worth taking a look at the gift ideas made of 925 sterling silver.