Children's plate silver 925 squirrel – bowl with niello & engraving

A children's gift that won't disappear into the cupboard but will stay on the table — that's exactly what this silver bowl is. Instead of plastic dishes that end up in the trash after a few years, the child receives a piece that grows with them: a round bowl made of 925 sterling silver, whose two wide decorative handles each bear a squirrel, embedded in dense tendril and leaf ornamentation. The motif is not printed or glued on — it has become an inseparable part of the silver through niello, a millennia-old black metal inlay. The inner basin remains deliberately simple: mirror-polished, without decoration, so that attention is entirely focused on the two artful handles.

At a glance

• Material: 925 sterling silver, high-gloss polished, with niello decoration
• Shape: round bowl with two wide decorative handles
• Niello motif: squirrel with ornamental tendrils, on both handles
• Capacity: 250 ml
• Total length (with handles): 196 mm
• Width: 145 mm
• Height: 38 mm
• Weight: approx. 224 g
• Hallmark present
• Gift box included

Material and workmanship

Niello is not a paint or lacquer, but a black metal alloy of silver, copper, lead, and sulfur, which is melted into finely engraved depressions. On this bowl, this means: The squirrel on each handle and the surrounding tendrils are first hand-engraved into the silver, then the niello mass is heated and applied. After cooling, the surface is ground until the deep black niello is precisely flush with the gleaming silver. The contrast between warm polished silver and deep black is what carries the motif — the squirrel's fur, round belly, bushy tail, and alert eyes are recognizable with a sharpness that only this technique achieves. The motif does not fade, wear off, or detach, because it is literally part of the metal. The bowl is crafted by SevChern in Veliky Ustyug in northern Russia, a center of Russian silver processing that has existed since the 17th century. Niello work from Veliky Ustyug has been documented since 1683, and the designation of origin is still geographically protected today — authentic niello from Veliky Ustyug may only be produced there. The hallmark on the bowl confirms 925 sterling silver, the Russian state hallmark, and the manufacturer's mark SevChern.

Collection

This bowl follows the shape of a porringer — a round, shallow bowl with side handles, which has been crafted as children's tableware in the European and Russian silversmith tradition for centuries. With a capacity of 250 ml, it is sized for baby food, soup, or oatmeal. The length of 196 mm with handles and the width of 145 mm give it good proportions for a child's table, and at a height of 38 mm, a child can easily reach the bottom with a spoon. At approx. 224 g, it feels substantial but not too heavy in the hand — and because 925 sterling silver is the same material inside and out, without a base metal or coating, it remains food-safe and hygienic, for life.

Special features

The squirrel is one of the animal motifs that children immediately recognize — and at the same time tells a story: curiosity, skill, and energy. An animal that climbs, gathers, and plans, always in motion and never losing track. On a silver bowl that accompanies a child from baptism, this motif takes on its own significance — lively instead of arbitrary. The tendril work that encloses the figure on both handles is not a random filler ornament, but follows the classical style of the niello masters from Veliky Ustyug: animal and plant framing form a composition in which the squirrel is visibly situated in its surroundings.

Occasions and target groups

The squirrel motif is gender-neutral and therefore equally suitable for girls and boys. As a christening gift, birth gift, or keepsake for a birth, this bowl has its own language: it is initially everyday tableware for porridge, muesli, or fruit slices and later becomes a treasured keepsake, whose niello motif remains unchanged — solid, durable, as old as the silver itself.

Engraving and SilberVerse card

A personal engraving is possible upon request — a name, a date, or a short sentence. An engraved children's bowl thus clearly belongs to this child and this moment. Upon request, we can also include a personal SilberVerse card in photo format (15 × 10 cm landscape) — individually designed, suitable for the occasion, and currently free of charge.

Care

925 sterling silver with niello decor is easier to care for than many think. Hand washing with warm water and mild dish soap is sufficient, plus a soft cloth for drying. No dishwasher, no aggressive cleaning agents, no silver dip. A light tarnish layer can be removed with a silver polishing cloth — the niello itself is insensitive to normal care and does not change color or depth.

Frequently asked questions

What kind of shape is this — plate or bowl?
It is a flat, round bowl with two wide side handles, known in the silversmith tradition as a porringer. The inner basin is open and flat with a height of 38 mm, and the capacity is 250 ml — suitable for baby food, soup, or muesli.

Where exactly is the squirrel motif located?
The niello motif is located on both side handles, each as a complete squirrel image, framed by ornamental tendril work. The inner basin of the bowl remains smoothly polished and without decoration.

What distinguishes 925 silver from silver-plated children's tableware?
Silver-plated children's tableware only has a thin layer of silver on a base metal, which wears off over time. 925 sterling silver is solid — the same precious metal inside and out, without a layer that could peel off. The hallmark officially confirms this.

You might also be interested in

Further silver gifts for children can be found in our selection of christening gifts made of 925 silver and birth gifts.