Teaglass Holder Set "Spassky Tower" antique patinated 925 silver in case — 3-piece with Kremlin coat of arms

The Spassky Tower on Red Square, with its clock and red star, is Russia’s most iconic timepiece—its bells have rung in every Russian New Year since 1996. The “Spassky Tower, Antique Patina” tea glass holder set features this Moscow landmark in three-dimensional relief in the central coat-of-arms medallion of a 925 sterling silver podstakannik, with the silhouettes of Saint Basil’s Cathedral and the Kremlin Wall in the background. The set also includes a classic teaspoon and a diamond-cut crystal glass, presented together in a premium velvet-lined case.

At a glance

• Set includes: podstakannik + diamond-cut crystal glass + classic teaspoon – 3 pieces
• Material: 925 sterling silver with darkened recesses in the coat of arms
• Total silver weight: approx. 148 g (holder approx. 126 g, spoon approx. 22 g)
• Holder dimensions: approx. 68 × 68 mm square, diameter approx. 68 mm
• “Tschajny” crystal glass: approx. 200 ml, approx. 65 × 100 mm, diamond cut
• Case dimensions: approx. 132 × 132 × 165 mm, velvet-lined, navy blue

Materials and craftsmanship

The holder is part of the ArgentA coat-of-arms collection, with a classical column structure, acanthus scrolls, and a loop handle with a beaded edge. The oval medallion, framed by a laurel wreath and ribbon, features a small, three-dimensional city vignette of Red Square: the tower with its clock and five-pointed star, with silhouettes of the Kremlin Wall and Saint Basil’s Cathedral in the foreground and to the sides. The relief’s recesses are given an antique patina, while the raised areas remain polished, lending the architecture a three-dimensional appearance. The accompanying classic teaspoon has an elegant handle with an oval finial and subtle acanthus details at the neck, along with a high-polish bowl—a more understated design that complements the monumental character of the Kremlin motif. The “Tschajny” diamond-cut crystal glass, with its geometric pattern, is a replaceable consumable and can be reordered if needed. The darkening is a surface patina and is different from niello, the sulfur-silver inlay technique used by the SevChern workshop. A gold-plated version of the medallion is available on request.

Uses and occasions

The Spassky Tower was built in 1491 by the Italian architect Pietro Antonio Solari and has housed the Kremlin’s striking clock with its chimes since the 17th century. Since 1996, Russian state television has broadcast the twelve strokes of the Spassky bells at midnight on December 31—a fixture of Russian New Year celebrations that also lives on in many Russian-German households. The set makes a fitting gift for Moscow enthusiasts and travelers, as a New Year’s gift, for Russian-German families, Slavicists, Russian teachers, historians, and architecture lovers, as well as a Father’s Day gift for men with an interest in Russian history. It also works well as a gift for diplomats or embassies, or as an addition to a collection of heraldic silverware—and, unlike purely equestrian motifs, is suitable for anyone. Discover more pieces in our 925 Silver Tableware Collection.

Engraving and SilberVerse card

The coat-of-arms medallion on the holder features the Kremlin vignette and cannot be engraved; engraving is available on both sides of the base of the glass holder and the teaspoon handle. For a set focused on engraving, with a blank coat-of-arms panel, we recommend our “The Master” set instead. On request, we can include a 15 × 10 cm SilberVerse card, digitally designed with a personal message, free of charge.

Care

Clean the holder and spoon by hand only, using warm water, mild dish soap, and a soft cloth—never put them in the dishwasher, and never rub away the darkening in the recesses with silver polish. Wipe dry after use and store in the case to protect against exposure to air and slow natural tarnishing. If the polished areas tarnish more heavily, use a soft silver polishing cloth without abrasive particles on the raised areas only, never in the darkened recesses. The diamond-cut glass is dishwasher-safe on a short, gentle cycle, though handwashing is gentler and keeps it clearer.

Frequently asked questions

What exactly does the holder depict?
The Spassky Tower in the Moscow Kremlin, with its clock and five-pointed red star, against a vignette of the Kremlin Wall and Saint Basil’s Cathedral. A three-dimensional high-relief silver design with darkened recesses, set in an oval medallion with a laurel wreath and ribbon.

Are these the bells that ring in the New Year?
Yes—the main bell of the Spassky Tower has been the official midnight signal on Russian TV broadcasts on New Year’s Eve since 1996. It strikes twelve times at midnight.

Is the darkening the same as niello?
No. Niello is a sulfur-silver inlay technique, characteristic of SevChern in Veliky Ustyug. The darkening used here is a surface patina in the recesses.

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Discover more pieces from our 925 Silver Tableware Collection, or find inspiration for the perfect occasion in our 925 Silver Gift Ideas.