Mocca Cups 925 Silver Niello Set of 2 — Goblet, Floral Motif, SevChern

Mocca Cups 925 Silver in a Set of 2 — Two Goblet Cups, One Floral Motif, One Story

Two cups that belong together — that is the starting point of this set. Not two identical objects that coincidentally stand side by side. But two mocca cups made of 925 sterling silver, which were intended as a pair from the beginning: one gift box for both, a hand engraving for the floral motif that connects them. The broad niello floral motif runs as a deep black band around the wall — lush blossoms, curved tendrils, the classic ornamental repertoire of 19th-century Russian silversmithing. Below it, the round, polished silver base with its delicate niello line. The goblet shape opens upwards — wide, inviting, present.

SevChern from Veliky Ustyug crafted these two cups in the same niello tradition that has distinguished this northern Russian city since 1683. Each blossom, each tendril of the floral motif was hand-engraved into the silver and permanently filled with niello — not a print, not enamel, but part of the metal itself.

Niello floral motif on polished silver — lush blossoms and tendrils hand-engraved

The floral motif on these mocca cups is among the densest produced by the SevChern manufactory: large blooming flowers, curved tendrils, leaves that organically wrap around the entire wall. Not a narrow decorative pattern, but a wide, substantial band that dominates the middle zone of the cup. Additionally, a second, delicate niello line at the edge of the base — an echo of the main motif that gives the piece composition.

Niello is not an applied color — it is a black metal alloy of silver, copper, lead, and sulfur, which is melted into finely engraved depressions and permanently bonded with the silver base. The result is insoluble: the deep black of the niello against the bright polished silver of the cup wall, two tones that enhance each other. No gilding, no third element — just silver and niello, creating clarity through contrast.

Every blossom on these two cups was hand-engraved into the silver. This means: no ornament is exactly like the next, no millimeter is accidental. This is the crucial difference between hand-engraved silver and machine-embossed decor — and it is why these cups look the same after ten years of use as they did on the first day.

Goblet shape on a round base — why this shape makes coffee and tea different

The goblet shape — wide, trumpet-shaped opening, slender stem, round base — is one of the oldest cup designs in Russian silversmithing. It was originally used for drinking vessels at festive occasions: at tsarist courts, at receptions, in representative contexts where the piece in hand was meant to convey as much as its contents. This idea is still palpable today: you hold a goblet cup differently than a normal coffee cup. You grasp it by the stem, feel the base under your fingers — it's a different ritual.

110 ml is the classic size for concentrated coffee, mocca, or small tea: enough for a brew with substance, little enough to drink completely before it gets cold. The cup wall made of solid 925 silver dissipates heat evenly — this is physically measurable and noticeable in everyday life. The handle is positioned laterally, stable, making the cup easy to handle even with hot contents.

As display pieces, these two cups stand as a pair: on a sideboard, in a glass display case, on a festively set table before the first guest arrives. Two identical goblet cups side by side have a symmetry that a single piece cannot achieve.

SevChern Veliky Ustyug — 340 years of Niello tradition on two cups

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 the Champagne region or Parmesan from Emilia-Romagna — genuine niello from Veliky Ustyug may only be produced there. In 1937, this tradition received a gold medal at the World Exhibition in Paris.

Each of these two mocca cups goes through 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 Office confirms the 925 alloy with its hallmark on each piece. The master's personal manufactory mark is also present.

What you hold in your hands when you first pick up this set: two cups whose motif was engraved by the same hands — the same floral motif, the same niello filling, the same polish. A set that was conceived as a unit from the beginning.

As a gift for two — wedding, anniversary, silver wedding

A set of 2 has its own logic as a gift: it says that two people are intended. For a wedding, this is the most obvious interpretation — but also for an anniversary, a silver wedding, a milestone birthday of a couple who drink their coffee and tea together. The floral motif stands for abundance, for blossoming, for a beauty that knows no interruption. On two cups of 925 silver that can be used daily and become more beautiful with each passing year: a gift that lasts.

A personal engraving is possible upon request — on the base of the cup or in a less ornamented area, with a date, initials, or a short dedication. This makes this set a unique piece that belongs to no other story than the one for which it was engraved. The gift box is included: both cups packaged together, ready to be presented immediately.

For collectors of Russian silver art: complete hallmarking, documented origin from Russia's oldest niello manufactory, floral motif in the classic SevChern hand-engraving tradition — a serious addition to any collection. For mocca and coffee lovers who take their ritual seriously: 110 ml in solid 925 silver with niello is a different experience than any ceramic or porcelain cup.

Care — cleaning 925 silver with niello correctly

One rule applies to both cups: 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 does not fade, but it does not need aggressive cleaners. For the polished silver surfaces, a soft silver polishing cloth is sufficient.

Store dry, ideally in the included gift box — both cups are safely and securely stored within. With genuine use, silver develops a patina that makes the niello motif stand out even more: the black becomes deeper, the silver warmer. Those who polish regularly maintain the bright glossy surface. Both are correct. Both are silver.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it called a mocca cup — and not a cappuccino?
Cappuccino cups hold 150 to 220 ml — which is significantly more than the 110 ml of these cups. A mocca cup is classically between 80 and 120 ml: perfect for a strong short coffee, an espresso lungo, Turkish mocca, or small tea. The term "cappuccino" would be misleading for 110 ml — "mocca cup" precisely describes the size.

Are these cups suitable for daily use?
Yes — 925 sterling silver is food-safe and robust enough for regular use. Important: hand wash only, no dishwasher. If you follow this, you will have two cups that can be used daily and will maintain their quality for decades. Silver gets more beautiful with use, not worse.

Does each cup weigh 138 g — or is that the total weight?
138 g is the weight per cup. The set weighs approximately 276 g in total. This weight is unusually high for mocca cups of this size — it comes from the solid 925 silver wall thickness, not from a thin coating.

What distinguishes these cups from silver-plated tableware?
Silver-plated tableware has a thin layer of silver on another base metal — this wears off over time. These mocca cups are made of solid 925 sterling silver: the entire wall thickness, the base, the handle — all silver. They can be polished, repaired, and passed down without losing a coating. The hallmark officially confirms the composition.

Can I order only one cup if I am looking for a single piece?
This set contains two cups and is offered as a set of 2. For a single piece in a similar goblet shape, we recommend the 925 silver teacup with a floral motif on a base — the goblet cup in our range that is available as a single piece. Please feel free to contact us if you are looking for an individual solution.

More pieces of Russian silver art:
→ Coffee & Tea Cups 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