Saucer 925 silver gold-plated SAKURA

925 Gold-Plated Silver Saucer — SAKURA, Niello and 115 Grams of Russian Craftsmanship

A saucer is the calmest piece on the table — and that's precisely what makes it the surface on which everything else stands out. This 925 sterling silver saucer features the SAKURA cherry blossom motif as a deep black niello band around its gold-plated rim. 130 mm in diameter, 14 mm flat, 115 grams of solid silver: a piece that lies beneath the cup and yet sets the tone for the table.

SevChern from Veliky Ustyug crafted this saucer according to the same principles as all pieces in the SAKURA collection — cherry blossoms hand-engraved into the silver, filled with niello, and partial gilding applied. The result is not applied decor — it is part of the metal itself, durable and insoluble.

SAKURA on 130 mm — the Cherry Blossom Motif on the Resting Surface

On the piala, the SAKURA motif is a continuous band around the rim. On the tray — 244 mm in diameter — it unfolds over the entire surface. The saucer takes a different position: it lies flat, faces upwards, and directly presents the motif to the eye. With a diameter of 130 mm, straight and serene, the cherry blossom niello is not an accessory — it is the first thing one sees when looking at the table.

Niello is the technique that makes this moment possible. A black metal alloy of silver, copper, lead, and sulfur is melted into finely engraved depressions — not applied, not printed, but permanently bonded with the silver. Each cherry blossom, each branch, each vine on this saucer was hand-engraved into the silver and then filled with niello. What remains is the triad principle of the SAKURA collection: the warm gold of the gilding, the deep black of the niello, the bright silver at the edges — three tones that elevate each other.

The Sakura motif — Japanese for cherry blossom — symbolizes fleeting beauty and blooming for a short time. On a saucer, the calmest piece of tableware, this symbol takes on a special stillness: It is there when you look. It doesn't wait for attention — it already has it.

Coffee Saucer and Tea Saucer — Flat Shape for Everything on the Table

130 mm diameter, 14 mm height: This saucer is deliberately flat and wide — a shape designed for more than one cup. As a coffee saucer, it securely and stably holds espresso cups, mocha bowls, or small silver mugs. As a tea saucer, it is the classic counterpart to the piala: the handleless drinking bowl rests on the saucer, and the table has its focal point.

The flat shape also makes this piece a silent carrier: A carafe that is briefly put down. A glass of water on the sideboard. The small silver bowl from the SAKURA collection, when not currently serving. 115 grams of solid 925 silver give the saucer enough weight so it doesn't slip — and enough elegance that it never goes unnoticed.

As a decorative object, this silver saucer stands alone: on a mantelpiece, on a side table, in a glass display cabinet. The SAKURA motif carries it even when empty — it doesn't need a cup on it to make an impression.

Piala and Saucer — a Pair from the SAKURA Set

In Russian and Central Asian tea culture, piala and saucer belong together like cup and plate in Western European service — but with one crucial difference: the piala has no handle. You hold it with both hands, feel the warmth of the tea through the silver, put it down — and what lies beneath is this saucer. Not as an obligation, but as part of the ritual.

Piala (SW10444) and saucer from the SAKURA collection feature the same cherry blossom niello motif on gilded 925 silver. The piala has a 94 mm diameter, the saucer 130 mm — the difference gives the piece its edge, its frame. Together on the table: a complete picture of gold, black, and silver that needs no further explanation.

Whoever assembles the complete SAKURA set — piala, saucer, silver bowl, carafe, tray — has a table ensemble from one hand, one manufactory, one history. The saucer is the silent foundation of it.

SevChern Veliky Ustyug — Origin, Hallmark, and 340 Years of Niello Tradition

The SevChern manufactory in Veliky Ustyug, Vologda Oblast in Northern Russia, has been producing niello silver since 1683. The niello technique of this city carries a geographically protected designation of origin — genuine niello from Veliky Ustyug may only be produced there, comparable to Champagne from the Champagne region or Parmesan from Emilia-Romagna. In 1937, this tradition received a gold medal at the World Exhibition in Paris.

This saucer goes through six production stages: shaping the silver blank — hand-engraving the motif — niello melting into each engraved channel — grinding and exposing the motif — gilding — final polishing. The Russian Federal Assay Office confirms the 925 alloy with its hallmark. The master's personal manufactory mark is also present.

What you hold in your hand when you pick up this saucer: 115 grams of silver carrying a history of nearly three and a half centuries of niello craftsmanship.

As a Gift — Wedding, Anniversary, Special Moments

For a wedding: The Sakura motif stands for new beginnings, for the blossoming of something new. A silver saucer as a gift is not a utilitarian object — it is a decision that says: This beginning deserves something that lasts. As part of the SAKURA set or as a single piece with the matching piala: a gift that carries two cultures, two craft traditions, and a festive table. Personal engraving on the back is available upon request.

For collectors of Russian silver art, this saucer is a consistent addition: SevChern manufactory, geographically protected niello origin, complete hallmarking, part of a closed collection. For tea lovers who take the piala ritual seriously. For Japanophiles who know the Sakura symbol and what it means — on Russian silver, in niello. The gift box is included — the piece is ready to be presented immediately.

Care — Proper Cleaning of Gold-Plated 925 Silver with Niello

The rule is simple: hand wash only with lukewarm water and mild dish soap. No dishwasher, no ultrasonic cleaner, no silver dip — these methods will damage the gilding and the niello inlay. The niello motif is permanently melted in and will not fade — it requires no special care other than avoiding aggressive chemicals.

For the polished silver surfaces on the edge, a soft silver polishing cloth is sufficient, which also corrects any tarnishing. Store dry, ideally in the accompanying gift box. With genuine use and careful care, silver develops a patina that makes it unique — this is not a blemish, it is character.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this saucer match the SAKURA Piala (SW10444)?
Yes — piala and saucer from the SAKURA collection are coordinated: the same cherry blossom niello motif, the same gilding, the same manufactory. The piala has a 94 mm diameter, the saucer 130 mm — creating a natural edge that makes the piece a classic piala-saucer combination. Using both pieces together completes the Russian tea-drinking ritual on the table.

What does SAKURA mean — and what is the motif doing on Russian silver?
Sakura is Japanese for cherry blossom — a globally recognized symbol of ephemeral beauty, spring, and new beginnings. SevChern has translated this motif into Russian niello technique: The cherry blossoms were hand-engraved into the silver and permanently filled with a black metal alloy. The result combines Japanese imagery with Russia's oldest niello manufactory.

Can the saucer be used daily?
Yes — 925 sterling silver is food-safe and robust enough for regular use. Important: hand wash only, no dishwasher. If these instructions are followed, you have a piece that can be on the table daily and retain its quality for decades.

What distinguishes this saucer from silver-plated tableware?
Silver-plated tableware has a silver coating on another base metal — this wears off over time, especially at edges and rims. This saucer is made of solid 925 sterling silver: the entire wall thickness is silver. It can be polished, repaired, and passed down without losing a coating. The hallmark officially confirms the composition.

What other pieces belong to the SAKURA collection?
The SAKURA collection from SevChern includes: piala (140 ml, handleless), this saucer (130 mm), silver bowl with handles (200 ml), carafe (350 ml), and silver tray with handles (244 mm) — all with the same cherry blossom niello motif on gold-plated 925 silver. Together, they form a complete table ensemble from one manufactory and one history.

Further pieces from the SAKURA collection and Russian silver art:
→ Coffee & Tea Saucers in 925 Silver — all models
→ Coffee & Tea Ware with Niello in 925 Silver
→ Table Silver & Silverware with Style and Soul
→ Wedding Gifts in 925 Silver