Christening Set Nicholas 925 Silver Gold Plated — Christening Spoon + Cross Pendant

In Orthodoxy, Saint Nicholas is the saint to whom parents entrust their children. It is he who sits at the top of the spoon: an icon in a medallion, the figure of the saint gilded, with the background around it in frosted silver. Below this runs a handle filled with openwork tendrils. It comes with an Orthodox cross on a loop. Both pieces lie in a hinged case, with a satin ribbon around the handle.

What is in the case

Two pieces with two different life paths. The spoon measures 11.3 centimeters and weighs around 13 grams — short enough for a child's hand, heavy enough to feel substantial. It stays in the home and later moves into the display cabinet. The cross pendant is two centimeters long and weighs one gram; it waits until the child is old enough to wear it. Together, the set brings about 14 grams of 925 silver to the scales.

A chain is deliberately not included — length and timing are for the parents to decide. The same set is also available in an antique blackened version, where the icon is marked in dark tones instead of gold. Further combinations can be found under Baptism gift sets.

Nicholas the Wonderworker — why him in particular

Nicholas of Myra, known in the East as "Nicholas the Wonderworker," is the saint who is called upon first for children. He is considered the patron saint of children, travelers, and sailors — and is therefore the customary companion for a child just starting out in Orthodox families. On the medallion, the icon shows him in bishop's vestments, his right hand raised in blessing, the Gospel book in his left. To his right and left are the Cyrillic abbreviations for "Saint Nicholas, Wonderworker."

The handle below does not bear a children's motif, but rather openwork tendrils in Old Russian ornament — the same visual language known from icon frames. The set is therefore not tied to boys or girls: no pink, no blue, only silver and gold. You can find related pieces under Orthodox gifts in 925 silver.

This spoon design is available with three different icons — besides this motif, with the Kazan Mother of God and with Christ Pantocrator. The spoon body is the same for all; the medallion at the top of the handle is swapped, and with it, the blessing on the back. Those with several godchildren can thus choose three matching yet different gifts.

Silver with partial gilding

The spoon and cross are crafted from 925 sterling silver. The figure of the saint in the medallion is selectively gilded — not the entire piece. This contrast is the true artistic touch: the golden Nicholas emerges from the frosted silver background, just as an icon emerges from its frame. Everything else — handle, tendrils, bowl, and the cross pendant — remains bright, polished silver.

Polishing is done by hand with cotton buffs to a mirror finish and without rhodium plating. This is a deliberate choice by the manufacturer: a rhodium layer would delay tarnishing but also change the warm tone of the silver. Here, you see the silver itself — and are free to care for it with a polishing cloth without damaging a coating.

For clarification, as it is often confused with Russian silver: this piece does not contain niello. Niello is a black metal paste melted into engraved lines — a completely different technique from Veliky Ustyug. Those seeking this dark look can find it in the Nielloa baptism collection.

Consecrated in Kolchugino

The pieces in this series are consecrated before delivery — by the local Orthodox parish of the Saint Pokrov Church in Kolchugino, Vladimir region, Diocese of Alexandrov of the Moscow Patriarchate. A small certificate confirming this is included in the case.

For Orthodox families, this is often the point that distinguishes a baptism gift from a pretty spoon.

Label and marking

Every piece is factory-fitted with a sealed label. This contains the manufacturer, designation, article number, silver weight, and a unique identification number (UIN). In addition, there is the manufacturer's mark and the ArgentA mark, as well as the quality control stamp.

The manufacturer's mark is structured to be readable: the first letter stands for the year of production, the second for the responsible state inspection office, and the rest for the workshop. The UIN also allows the piece to be looked up in the state register for precious metals.

The back: Blessing, tendrils, and space for a name

The spoon is also fully designed on the back — you only notice this when you turn it over. On the back of the medallion is a raised blessing in four lines of Cyrillic script: "Святителю отче Николае, моли Бога о мне" — "Holy Father Nicholas, pray to God for me." This is the traditional Orthodox invocation of the saint, as spoken in prayer. The saint is therefore depicted in image on one side and in word on the other.

The back of the bowl features a surrounding border of fine spiral tendrils that frame a mirror-polished center field and converge into a denser tendril motif at the tip of the spoon. A detail that no one sees while eating — and which is there nonetheless. That is exactly how you recognize a piece that was not built for first impressions alone.

In between, on the back of the handle below the medallion, the surface remains deliberately smooth and mirror-polished. Here is space for an engraving: a short name, or if writing is compact, the baptism date as well. Nothing more fits — the handle tapers downwards. But exactly that is enough for the one line that turns a gift into a specific gift.

You can see all three spots without holding the spoon: in the image gallery above, there is a product video in which the set is rotated — first the front with the icon, then the back with the blessing, engraving surface, and tendril border. Additionally, the detail chart in the gallery shows the same three spots as close-ups.

The Orthodox cross

The pendant is small yet fully crafted: the ends of the crossbar terminate in a cloverleaf shape, in the center is the corpus in relief, and below that, the ornament continues to the foot. The three-leaf ends represent the Trinity in Christian iconography; this form is widely used in Orthodox baptismal crosses. The surface remains brightly polished — no enamel, no gilding.

Care: so the gold retains its luster

After use, warm water, mild dish soap, and a soft cloth are sufficient. No dishwasher and no abrasive cleaners — the gilding is a thin layer and cannot withstand scrubbing. Use a silver polishing cloth only on the silver surfaces, not on the gilded medallion. It is generally advised not to use silver dip baths for partially gilded pieces. This is explained in detail in our care instructions for silver.

Frequently asked questions about the baptism set

From what age is the spoon suitable?
As cutlery from the age when the child starts solid foods. It is usually gifted earlier — at the baptism, often even at birth.

Is the whole spoon gilded?
No, only the figure of the saint in the medallion. It is precisely this contrast that makes the icon legible. The handle, bowl, and cross remain bright silver.

Is the set for a girl or a boy?
For both. It manages without colored enamel and is gender-neutral — practical if you are gifting before the birth or do not know the gender.

Is the set also suitable for a Catholic or Protestant baptism?
Yes. Saint Nicholas is venerated in all three denominations, and a cross is a cross. The craftsmanship has an Orthodox character — those who consciously look for this will find exactly that here; those who do not will still receive a classic baptism gift.

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

Can the spoon be engraved?
Yes — technically, an engraving is possible on this spoon, but it can only be ordered after verification. Both belong together and one does not limit the other:

Technically: The back of the handle below the medallion is smooth and mirror-polished — a free space intended exactly for this. There is room for a short first name; with compact writing, the baptism date also fits below it. About 20 characters is the guideline, not a firm guarantee: the handle tapers downwards, so the typeface also plays a role.

Ordering process: In the shop, the engraving cannot be added directly to the shopping cart. Send us a quick note before ordering — we will coordinate the text, typeface, and placement and confirm what fits on this piece. That way, we don't promise anything that won't actually fit.

Not engravable are the back of the medallion (where the raised blessing is), the back of the bowl (where the tendril border runs), and the cross pendant (2 cm in size and crafted on both sides).

How else can the set be made personal?
Via a SilberVerse card: a printed card with a verse or dedication included with the gift. How that works is explained under About SilberVerse. The card and engraving can be combined.

Is there a product video?
Yes, in the image gallery above. The set is rotated in it and shown close up — the front with the icon, the back with the blessing, engraving area, and tendril border, plus the cross pendant separately. Those who want to know how the piece feels in the hand and how big it really is will see that more clearly there than on any still image.

What should I look out for with silver for babies?
925 sterling silver has been standard for cutlery for centuries and consists of 92.5% fine silver. Like all children's cutlery, the spoon should be used under supervision; the pendant is not suitable for infants due to its size.