Sugar bowl, 925 sterling silver, gold-plated – “Hops” collection | Historical design (1969)

This 925 sterling silver sugar bowl features a pattern with its own history: the hop design, developed in 1969 and continued unchanged in the SevChern manufactory to this day. Two heavily gilded handles flank the body, a gilded ring marks the base, and the lid closes with a gilded finial. In between lies the actual motif: dense hop leaves in dark niello, from which golden hop cones stand out – a contrast that is both elegant and warm.

The hop motif is one of Russia's most significant silver collections of the 20th century: floral leaves, intertwined tendrils, deep engraving lines, which were awarded at the time and are still considered a benchmark today. This sugar bowl directly connects to this heritage.

At a Glance

• Material: 925 sterling silver, gilded
• Capacity: 250 ml – ideal for sugar, chocolates, or rock candy
• Design: iconic hop pattern from 1969
• Technique: niello hand engraving
• Gilding: two handles, lid finial, base ring
• Collection: Hopfen

Note: We currently do not have definitive information on the diameter, height, or weight for this product. We will add these values as soon as they are confirmed by the manufactory.

Material and Workmanship

The hop pattern is created in several steps: First, the foliage is hand-engraved into the 925 silver, then the dark niello alloy – a mixture of silver, copper, lead, and sulfur – is applied into the indentations, melted, and polished. The hop cones themselves remain gilded, clearly standing out from the dark foliage. Niello forms a chemical-physical bond with the silver, is 100% food-safe, and does not dull over the years but becomes more expressive: With each polish, the contrasts between the dark ornament and the gilding deepen.

Usage and Occasions

The sugar bowl is intended for the set coffee and tea table – for exclusive Sunday coffee gatherings as well as for classic tea time. With a capacity of 250 ml, it is suitable for cube or rock candy, but also for small chocolates as a table gesture. As a single piece, it complements an existing service with the characteristic hop pattern; as a gift for an anniversary or wedding, it stands for durability and an eye for detail that enhances the entire coffee table. For collectors of Russian silverware, it is a connection to a design that has been considered a benchmark for over fifty years.

Care

Cleaning should only be done by hand washing with a soft cloth. No dishwasher, no aggressive cleaning agents or abrasive cleaners – both the gilding and the niello inlays are sensitive to mechanical stress. A special silver polishing cloth is suitable for occasional refreshing of the polished surfaces.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the sugar bowl actively usable or purely a collector's item?
Both. The sugar bowl is food-safe and can be used in everyday life, but it is also a valuable art object for display.

What makes the hop pattern special?
It dates back to 1969 and is considered one of the most significant Russian silver collections of the 20th century. The floral ornamentation with its deep engraving lines was awarded at the time and continues unchanged to this day.

Are there matching service elements for the sugar bowl?
You can find other pieces with the same hop pattern in our range of coffee and tea ware – feel free to contact us if you would like to put together a matching ensemble.

You might also be interested in

You can find more pieces with niello hand engraving and gilding in our collection Table Silver & Silverware. For other occasions, it's worth taking a look at our Gift Ideas in 925 Sterling Silver.