Christening Set Angel 925 Silver Antique Blackened — Spoon + Cross Pendant

A child first comprehends the world with their hands, not their eyes. This spoon takes that seriously: an angel sits as a sculptural figure at the top of the handle, with stars, a moon, and small hearts running along the grip below it—all raised, all tactile. It also includes an Orthodox cross on the bail. Both pieces come in a hinged case, with a satin ribbon on the spoon.

The Baptism Set with Angel: What's Included

Two pieces that take different paths. The spoon is kept short at 113 millimeters and is made for a child's hand—it stays in the house and later moves to the display cabinet. The cross measures two centimeters and waits until the child is old enough to wear it. A chain is intentionally not included: the parents decide on the length and the timing.

The set is not gender-specific—no pink, no blue, just silver and the darkly outlined reliefs. The same combination is also available in a gold-plated version, where the moon and stars are set in gold. Further combinations can be found under Baptism Gift Sets.

Stars, Moon, and Hearts to Feel

The handle is not a smooth piece of metal. Raised motifs sit along its entire length: a crescent moon, several stars of different sizes, and hearts in between. A child holding the spoon will automatically feel them—and that is precisely the aim of this manufacturer's tactile line, developed for early childhood development.

The angel at the top of the handle is fully sculpted, with shaped wings, curly hair, and folded hands. This makes it more of a figure than an image—something to hold in one's hand. Related pieces with tactile reliefs can be found in the tactile collection.

The Antique Blackening – And What It Isn't

The indentations between the reliefs are darkened. This makes the stars and the angel stand out sculpturally because light and shadow are no longer swallowed by the polished silver. This is achieved by a superficial blackening, with which the manufacturer deliberately pre-ages the piece.

There are two things you should know about this. First: This is not niello. Niello is a black metal paste that is melted into recessed lines and firmly bonded with the silver—a completely different technique that originated in Veliky Ustyug. The blackening here is on the surface. Second, the blackening is not a lacquer or paint, so it cannot flake off, and at the same time acts as a protective layer against further darkening—the piece will look the same in five years as it does today. The raised areas can be carefully brightened with a silver polishing cloth without the depressions becoming lighter.

If you like this look, it's worth checking out the "Holy Angel" Orthodox baptismal spoon, which is made using the same technique.

Consecrated in Kolchugino

The pieces in this series are consecrated before delivery by the local Orthodox community of the Svyato-Pokrovsky Church in Kolchugino, Vladimir region, Alexandrov Eparchy of the Moscow Patriarchate. A small certificate to this effect is included in the case.

For Orthodox families, this is often the point at which a baptismal gift differs from a pretty spoon. Those looking for this aspect can find more pieces under Orthodox gifts made of 925 sterling silver.

The Orthodox Cross

The pendant is small yet fully worked: the bar ends terminate in a trefoil shape, and the corpus sits in relief in the center. In Christian iconography, the three-lobed ends represent the Trinity; this form is widely used in Orthodox baptismal crosses. The surface remains polished—without enamel, without gilding.

Care: to preserve the design

After use, warm water, mild dish soap, and a soft cloth are sufficient. No dishwasher, no abrasive cleaners, and especially no silver dip cleaner—such a bath would dissolve the dark depressions and remove precisely what makes the piece special. A silver polishing cloth on the raised areas is perfectly adequate. This is detailed in our silver care instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Baptism Set

What age is the spoon suitable for?
As cutlery from the complementary feeding age. It is usually given earlier—for baptism, often already at birth.

Does the blackening come off when washed?
No. The blackening is not a paint or lacquer, but a surface treatment of the silver. Warm water and dish soap will not harm it. Only silver dip cleaners are taboo.

Is the set for a girl or a boy?
For both. It does not use colored enamel and is therefore gender-neutral—practical if you are giving a gift before birth or do not know the gender.

How can the set be personalized?
Via a SilberVerse card: a printed card with a verse or dedication that accompanies the gift. How this works is described under About SilberVerse.

Is silver safe for a baby?
925 Sterling silver has been common for cutlery for centuries and is nickel-free. Like all children's cutlery, the spoon should be used under supervision; due to its size, the pendant is not for infants.

Does it come with a chain?
No. The set includes a spoon and pendant; parents can choose the chain later to suit the child's age.