Teacup 925 silver with niello – hand engraving & gift box

925 Silver Teacup with Niello — Floral Hand-Engraved Band, 150 Grams on a Foot

Some cups simply sit on the table. This one stands on a foot — and that changes everything. The goblet cup made of 925 sterling silver rises on a conical base, giving it a presence that no flat-bottomed cup can achieve. The wide niello floral motif runs as a dark band around the wall: blossoms, tendrils, leaves in deep black on polished silver. 150 grams in hand, 155 ml capacity, a piece you can't overlook — not on the table, not in the display case.

SevChern from Veliky Ustyug crafted this cup in the tradition that has distinguished this northern Russian city since 1683: floral motifs hand-engraved into the silver, filled with niello, and then ground free. The motif is not a print or a sticker — it is permanently fused with the silver. Every blossom, every tendril bears the signature of the engraver who incised it.

Niello Floral Motif — Blossoms and Tendrils in Deep Black on Polished Silver

The floral motif on this cup follows the classic Russian ornamental repertoire: curving tendrils, blooming flowers, leaves that organically wrap around the wall. At the top, a geometric diamond band concludes the niello area — a transition from the ornamental to the clear, which defines the motif upwards and leaves the polished silver opening free. This combination of floral flow and geometric finish is no coincidence: it corresponds to the compositional principle of the best Russian niello works of the 19th century, which is still alive today in Veliky Ustyug.

Niello is not a paint or enamel — it is a black metal alloy of silver, copper, lead, and sulfur, which is melted into engraved depressions and permanently bonded with the silver ground. The result is a duality: the bright polished silver of the cup wall against the deep matte black of the motif. No gilding, no third element — just silver and niello, enhancing each other. Anyone looking for an unusual teacup that impresses with strength rather than decoration will find it here.

Every blossom on this cup has been hand-incised into the silver. This means: no two ornaments are exactly alike. The depth of the indentation, the width of the line, the filling with niello — these are decisions the engraver makes during the work. The result is not a reproduced pattern, but a handcrafted original from one of the oldest niello centers in the world.

Unusual Teacup on Foot — a Form That Stands Out

The foot of this cup is not a decorative accessory — it fundamentally changes how the cup sits on the table and how it feels in hand. When placed, it rises slightly above the table surface, providing a view and making the niello ornamentation visible from all sides. In hand, the conical base sits naturally between the fingers when lifting the cup to drink. 90 mm height, 76 mm diameter: a cup that has volume without appearing too large.

155 ml is the classic size for a serious tea: enough for an infusion with substance — not so much that it gets cold before you finish. Black tea, green tea, rooibos, chai: the 925 silver cup is food-safe and suitable for all hot beverages. The D-handle is on the side, making the cup easy to handle even when the content is still hot.

As a display piece, this cup needs no content. The goblet shape with its niello band is a presence in itself on a sideboard, in a glass cabinet, or on a mantelpiece — an unusual teacup that needs no explanation.

SevChern Veliky Ustyug — Origin, Hallmark, and 340 Years of Niello Tradition

The SevChern manufactory in Veliky Ustyug, Vologda Oblast in Northern Russia, has been producing niello silver since 1683. This continuity is documented and geographically protected: the niello tradition of Veliky Ustyug bears a designation of origin comparable to Champagne from Champagne or Parmesan from Emilia-Romagna — authentic niello from Veliky Ustyug may only be produced there. In 1937, this tradition received a gold medal at the World Exhibition in Paris.

This cup undergoes six production stages: shaping the silver blank — hand-engraving the floral motif — niello melting into each engraved channel — grinding and exposing the motif — final polishing — quality control and hallmarking. The Russian Federal Assay Chamber confirms the 925 alloy with its hallmark on each piece. The master's personal manufactory mark is also present.

What you hold in your hand when you first pick up this cup: 150 grams of silver that carry a history of almost three and a half centuries of niello craftsmanship — in a form inspired by samovars and tea sets of Russian historicism, and still produced today exactly as it was a hundred years ago.

As a Gift — Wedding, Mother's Day, Tea Lovers, and Collectors

For a wedding: A silver cup is a piece that endures. Not because it sits in a cupboard — but because it can be used daily and becomes more beautiful with each passing year. The floral motif symbolizes elegance and nature, the blossoming of something constant. A personal engraving is possible upon request — on the bottom of the cup, in a less ornamented area, with a date or dedication that makes this piece a unique memento.

For Mother's Day or a birthday: Anyone looking for an unusual teacup is usually looking for something that stands out from mass-produced goods — in form, material, and history. This cup meets all three conditions: the goblet shape is unusual, the material is solid 925 silver, and the history traces back to one of Russia's most significant niello manufactories. For collectors of Russian silver art, it is a serious addition — full hallmarking, documented origin, six-stage production process. The gift box is included — the piece is ready to give immediately.

Care — Proper Cleaning of 925 Silver with Niello

A clear rule: hand wash only with lukewarm water and mild dish soap. No dishwasher, no ultrasonic cleaner, no silver dip — these methods will damage the niello inlay. The floral motif is permanently melted in and will not fade, but it does not need aggressive cleaning agents. For the polished silver surfaces, a soft silver polishing cloth is sufficient, which also corrects any tarnishing.

Store dry, ideally in the included gift box. Silver tarnishes faster in humid air — this is not a defect, but a property of the material. Those who polish regularly maintain the bright glossy surface. Those who allow tarnishing will get a patina that makes the niello motif stand out even more — deeper black, warmer silver. Both are correct. Both are silver.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does this teacup have a foot — is that unusual?
Yes — the goblet cup on a foot is a form known in Russian tea sets since the 18th century, but it has become rare in everyday use. The foot lifts the cup from the table, gives it visual weight, and makes the niello ornamentation visible from all sides. For tea lovers looking for an unusual teacup, this is precisely the difference they are looking for.

What is niello — and how does it differ from other embellishments?
Niello is a black metal alloy of silver, copper, lead, and sulfur, which is melted into engraved depressions and permanently bonded with the silver. It is not a print, not a paint, not enamel — it is part of the metal itself, insoluble and durable for centuries. The motif on this cup was hand-engraved and then filled with niello. The result does not change — it remains as the engraver decided.

Is the cup suitable for daily use?
Yes — 925 sterling silver is food-safe and robust enough for regular use. Important: hand wash only, no dishwasher. Those who adhere to this will have a cup that can be used daily and maintains its quality for decades. Silver develops a patina with genuine use that makes it distinctive.

How does this cup differ from silver-plated tableware?
Silver-plated tableware has a silver coating on a different base metal — this coating wears off over time, especially at edges and handle attachments. This cup is made of solid 925 sterling silver: the entire wall thickness, the foot, the handle — all silver. It can be polished, repaired, and passed down without losing any coating. The hallmark officially confirms the composition. 150 grams do not lie.

Can I add a personal engraving?
Yes — a personal engraving is possible upon request, for example with initials, a date, or a short dedication. Since the wall bears the niello motif, engraving on the bottom or in a less ornamented area is recommended. Contact us with your engraving request before ordering.

Further pieces of Russian silver art:
→ Coffee & Teacups made of 925 Silver — all models
→ Coffee & Tea Sets with Niello made of 925 Silver
→ Table Silver & Silverware with Style and Soul
→ Wedding Gifts made of 925 Silver