Pair of Silver Charki (Shot Cups) “The Tsar’s Daughter” – Pushkin Series, 925 Silver with Niello

Two women from a fairy tale, two small cups. The charki pair “The Tsar’s Daughter” is made of 925 sterling silver, gold-plated inside, and comes in a wooden box with burgundy velvet. It suits couples, hosts and collectors of Russian art who want a piece with a story on the table.

Tsar’s daughter and tsarina: who takes which cup?

On the first charka the tsar’s daughter holds an apple, her head in a headdress. The second shows the tsarina with a crown and a serious expression: the two adversaries of the tale stand side by side, and whoever reaches first gets the good role when you raise a toast.

The engraver’s lines are so fine that you look the tsarina in the eye. A narrow gold-plated rim frames each charka, and below it stands on a smooth silver foot. At the back sits the cartouche with the lyre, the poet’s name and the tale’s title in Cyrillic script; the lyre has been regarded as a sign of poetry since antiquity.

An apple, a mirror, seven knights: the tale behind it

Pushkin’s tale of the tsar’s daughter begins with vanity. The tsarina asks her mirror daily who is the fairest in the land, and one day it names the stepdaughter. The tsar’s daughter is taken into the forest, and seven knights take her in. But the tsarina finds her and sends a poisoned apple. A crystal coffin, a prince on a search and a happy ending follow. Anyone who knows Snow White is already half at home here.

Niello from Veliky Ustyug: dark in the silver

In Veliky Ustyug, niello art has been documented since 1683. Dark mass fills the recesses that the graver has drawn into the silver, and is fired in: the pattern sits in the metal rather than on it. The silver shines, the niello stays matt, and this contrast traces face and apple.

Paris, 1937: the World’s Fair honoured the predecessor of today’s manufactory, the Artel Severnaya Chern, with gold for tableware after Pushkin’s tales. These charki are new work from the “Culture of the Home” line, not a reproduction of those pieces.

When two charki belong on the table

For a silver wedding anniversary and a milestone anniversary, two cups fit, because two people raise a toast. For a wedding, a milestone birthday or under the Christmas tree too they spark conversation, and as a business gift they bring Russian culture to the table. Vodka, liqueur or fruit brandy go with them.

For the table, the “The Tsar’s Daughter” cutlery and the silver cup pair for the same tale belong with them. For six guests there is the cutlery case with tale scenes on all 24 pieces.

Questions about the charki “The Tsar’s Daughter”

What is niello silver?
A dark mass fired into engraved silver lines. Not lacquer: it sits in the metal and becomes higher in contrast with every polish.

Is gold-plated the same as gold?
No. A thin layer of gold lies on the silver, and the body of the charka remains 925 sterling silver.

How do you care for the charki, and do aluminium foil or baking soda help?
Wash them by hand, dry them immediately and put them into the box dry. Dishwasher, aluminium foil and baking soda are off limits, because niello cannot take them. More in the niello guide.

Is there cutlery for the same tale?
Yes, on the four-piece cutlery mirror and apple appear again.

Can a dedication be added to the charki?
Yes. Add the engraving service and note your wish in the “order note at checkout”. Whether room and execution are right, we check afterwards with SevChern; if it does not work, you receive the flat fee back. If you would like congratulations without engraving, there is a SilberVerse, a verse matching the occasion and name, free on request.