Stem glass 925 Silver George the Victorious — Niello gilt

A rider on a white horse pierces the dragon with his spear — St. George the Victorious, the oldest symbol of Moscow and one of the most powerful patron saints in the Orthodox world. This stemmed glass features him as a medallion on the bowl, executed in niello hand-engraving on 925 sterling silver. Not a print, no engraving machine — every line is drawn by hand into the silver, the niello melted in by hand over a flame. A dense floral niello ornament, covering the entire bowl, surrounds the medallion. The foot bears the inscription “МОСКВА" — Moscow — in Cyrillic script, framed by niello palmettes. Inside, warm fine gold gleams, and the rim at the top and the foot ring feature golden accents. Holding this is not just a drinking glass, but a piece of Russian heraldry in silver.

St. George the Victorious — what the motif means

St. George the Victorious (Russian: Георгий Победоносец) is far more than an image on a coat of arms. He is the patron saint of Moscow, the Russian army, and countless families bearing the names Georgy, Yury, or Georg. The depiction is always the same: a rider in armor on a white horse, lance pointed downwards, piercing the dragon beneath its hooves. This motif has been on the Moscow city coat of arms since the 14th century and on the Russian state coat of arms since 1497. Anyone holding this stemmed glass holds a symbol older than most European nation-states.

For a Russian, St. George the Victorious is as familiar as the double-headed eagle — and more emotionally charged. The Order of St. George (Орден Святого Георгия) was the highest military award of the Russian Empire. The St. George ribbon in orange and black remains the most recognizable patriotic symbol to this day. This stemmed glass brings all of that together: Moscow, protection, victory, tradition — in a drinking vessel to be raised on special occasions.

More than a shot glass — a chalice for special moments

With a capacity of 130 ml and a height of 141 mm, this stemmed glass is not a vodka shot glass for a quick swig. It is a chalice — for cognac, liqueur, balm, or a fine dessert wine. The chalice shape with a turned baluster stem feels good in the hand, and its weight of 147 grams gives it substance without being heavy. The interior gilding is not only beautiful but functional: gold imparts no taste of its own and protects the silver from acid in the drink. This way, the contents taste as they should — and the silver remains flawless.

On a festively set table, this glass stands like a small sculpture. The dark niello ornament contrasts with the polished silver, the gold frames the top and bottom — and St. George the Victorious faces every guest who raises the glass. That's the difference from a crystal glass: this piece tells a story even before the first toast is spoken.

For whom this stemmed glass is the right gift

This piece is not an everyday gift — and it requires a recipient who will appreciate it. Here are the occasions and target groups for whom this stemmed glass is perfect:

Name Day Georg, Yury, Georgy: For anyone with a Georg in the family or circle of friends, this is the most personal gift — their patron saint in silver, niello, and gold. Also suitable for Yury, Yegor, or Georgios.

Anniversary and significant birthday: For a 50th, 60th, or company anniversary — a stemmed glass to be raised at a celebratory dinner and then placed in a display cabinet. Not a consumable gift, but a lasting piece.

Meaningful business gift: For business partners with a Russian background or connection to Moscow. The Moscow coat of arms on 925 silver in niello hand-engraving — that says more than any greeting card. Also available as a pair (2 pieces) or a quartet (4 pieces) — upon request, as each piece is individually crafted in the manufactory.

Collector of Russian art: Anyone collecting Russian silver is familiar with the niello tradition from Veliky Ustyug. This stemmed glass is a collector's item with a heraldic motif — St. George the Victorious in a quality not found in museum shops, because it is not manufactured there.

Father's Day, Christmas, Wedding Anniversary: For the man who has everything — except a piece of Russian silversmithing with his patron saint on it.

Frequently Asked Questions about the St. George the Victorious Stemmed Glass

Can you actually drink from the stemmed glass?
Yes — 925 silver is food-safe, as is the fine gold interior gilding. The stemmed glass is intended for cognac, liqueur, balm, or dessert wine. After use, clean with warm water and mild dish soap, not in the dishwasher.

Does it really say "МОСКВА" on the foot?
Yes — "МОСКВА" (Moscow) is engraved in Cyrillic script on the foot and filled with niello, framed by palmette ornaments. This underscores the connection between the St. George motif and the Moscow city coat of arms.

Can I order multiple pieces?
Yes — as a pair or a set of four pieces upon request. Each stemmed glass is individually crafted in the SevChern manufactory, so a multiple order requires a little more time. Simply write to us in the order field or via the contact form.

Is engraving possible?
Upon request — we will check if and where there is space for a personal engraving. On this piece, the entire bowl is covered with niello ornament, but there may be space on the foot or at the base of the stem, depending on your wishes.

Why is this stemmed glass more expensive than a normal silver beaker?
You are paying not only for the material (147g of pure 925 silver + fine gold gilding), but also for the niello hand-engraving which goes through 15 steps at SevChern — from drawing to engraving and niello melting to the final polishing. Added to this is the heraldic St. George motif, which requires special skill. It is a manufactory piece, not mass-produced goods.