Wall Mural Rabbit — Nielloa ZODIAC 925 Silver, Chinese Zodiac and Easter Bunny

The Hare wall art is a handmade silver relief made of 925 sterling with niello fur engraving — the most versatile motif in the collection: Chinese zodiac sign Hare (兔), European Easter Bunny, and classic hunting motif in one piece. ZODIAC line of the Nielloa collection by SevChern.

What do you give for Chinese New Year in the Year of the Hare — to a child born in 2023? For Easter to the godmother who hosts the family brunch year after year? To the hunting friend who is proud of his last hare kill and is looking for a trophy for the living room? This wall art is made for these three very different occasions — and all in between.

A 925 sterling silver relief with a hare's head as the central motif — frontal, with long erect ears, round eyes, gentle expression. The fur texture is completely done in niello hand engraving: fine dark lines that give the hare depth and liveliness. Below it, an acanthus volute base as a heraldic ornament. Framed in a dark brown wooden frame with a narrow golden trim, on a deep red velvet passe-partout.

A work of art from the ZODIAC line of the Nielloa collection by SevChern — handcrafted in Veliky Ustyug. One of the most versatile motifs in our line: three worlds in one silver piece.

Chinese Zodiac Sign Hare — Gentleness, Elegance, Luck

The Hare (兔, tù) is the fourth of the twelve Chinese zodiac signs — its element is Wood (Yin), its cardinal direction is East. In Chinese folklore, it is the counterpart to the powerful Tiger: where the Tiger leads, the Hare evades — and still gets there. Gentleness, caution, and diplomatic intuition are its strengths.

Those born in the Year of the Hare are considered elegant, empathetic, peace-loving, and lucky. They resolve conflicts before they arise, they make spaces beautiful, they bring people together. In Chinese culture, the Hare is also the companion of the moon goddess Chang'e — it grinds the elixir of immortality on the moon. It is ubiquitous at the Moon Festival (Mid-Autumn Festival).

Hare years in the 20th/21st century: 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023, 2035. The exact start of each Hare year is usually between late January and mid-February.

The Easter Bunny — European Fertility Tradition

In Germanic-European spring tradition, the hare is the symbol of fertility, resurrection, and new beginnings. The legend that the Easter Bunny brings eggs dates back to the 17th century — first documented in 1682 in a treatise by Georg Franck von Franckenau. Before the hare, the stork, fox, or cuckoo brought the Easter eggs in various regions. The hare prevailed and became an integral part of Easter culture.

For an Easter gift that is not made of chocolate and lasts for decades, this wall art is the stylish choice. A silver hare — Easter far beyond the season.

The Hunting Hare — European Hunting Tradition

In hunter's jargon, the hare is a "Master Lampe" — the oldest small game hunting motif in Europe. Hare hunting runs through art history: Dürer's Young Hare (1502) is one of the most famous animal portraits in the world, every hunting lodge displays a hare trophy somewhere. As the New Year's Eve hare, it is the classic December hunting gift among hunting friends.

For hunters, this wall art is the equivalent of a fur trophy — only in silver, without a watering hole, without tanning, durable and stylish. A worthy piece for the hunting study or hunting lodge.

Nielloa — Ink in Silver, like a Tattoo on the Skin

Nielloa is our brand for the handcrafted niello artworks from the SevChern manufactory. Niello itself is one of the oldest silversmithing techniques, which has become extremely rare in Europe. Imagine it like ink in silver — or like a tattoo on the skin: the dark mass doesn't sit on top, but is melted into the hand-engraved lines and permanently bonded to the metal.

With the hare, niello is used in the fur drawing: in the fine lines on the forehead, ears, and cheeks, which recreate the fur texture. The bright silver surfaces (eyes, nose, chest) contrast with the dark niello strokes — the hare emerges plastically from the silver surface. Without niello, it would be an engraving. With niello, the hare comes to life.

Hand Engraving and Master's Signature

With niello hand engraving, each stroke has only one chance. If a line is not right, the master starts over — no software undo button, no readjustment possible. The masters in Veliky Ustyug are trained according to the same principle and produce the same motif, but small differences in line work are like human handwriting: they can be imitated, but the subtle peculiarities remain.

The exact recipe of the niello mass and the individual way it is applied over an open flame are the personal secret of each master. After melting, it's time for polishing: not too much (otherwise the niello disappears), not too little (otherwise the contrast is missing). Experience that is only in the hands of the masters from Veliky Ustyug — since 1683.

ZODIAC + FAUNA — Two Animal Lines in Nielloa

The Nielloa collection is divided into several lines:

• ZODIAC — astrological animal motifs: 12 Chinese zodiac signs + 12 Western zodiac signs (the hare belongs here)
• FAUNA — animal motifs outside the zodiac (cat, dog, horse, etc.)
• CLASSIC — lucky and Feng Shui symbols (goldfish, lucky horseshoe)
• SIGNATURE — premium individual motifs (horn of plenty)

All animal lines (ZODIAC + FAUNA) share the same framing — dark brown wooden frame, golden trim, red velvet passe-partout. This makes them gallery-combinable: the Chinese hare next to the European cat next to the zodiac sign Taurus — all part of one visual family.

For what occasion this wall art is made

For Chinese New Year in the Year of the Hare: 2023 was the last Year of the Hare — a heirloom with astrological significance for children born in that year. Also a fitting New Year's gift for friends with an Asian background, even in non-Hare years.

For a round birthday of someone born in the Year of the Hare: Anyone born in the Year of the Hare in 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, or 2023 receives an astrologically appropriate silver artwork for their 40th, 50th, 60th birthday.

For Easter as a stylish alternative to chocolate: An Easter gift for the godmother, grandparents, mother — that isn't nibbled away in a week. Remains on the wall as an Easter memory for decades.

As a hunter's gift: For the New Year's Eve hare, for the end of the hunting season, for a hunting lodge inauguration. A worthy hare trophy in silver instead of fur.

For birth / baptism: The hare is a symbol of fertility and luck in many cultures — it fits universally as a gift for the beginning of life. Can be supplemented with baby silver gifts (spoon, rattle).

For moving into a new home: The hare as a symbol of new beginnings and spring — a fitting housewarming gift.

Engraving on request

We can engrave the date, name, or a short dedication on the back or frame upon request. Popular for Easter gifts: Easter date and name. For New Year's gifts: Date of the Spring Festival. For hunting gifts: Name, hunting ground, and date. For engraving orders, we include a free SilberVerse card (10 × 15 cm), individually inscribed with your desired text.

Care

Clean the silver surface with a soft polishing cloth — no abrasive cleaners, no direct water. The niello becomes more contrasting with each polish because the surrounding silver becomes brighter, making the dark fur lines stand out more strongly. The dark brown wooden frame remains stable without special care, as long as it is not hung in a damp environment.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Hare Wall Art

Is this a hare or a rabbit?
The motif shows a hare — recognizable by its long, erect ears and slender head shape. Rabbits have shorter ears and rounder faces. The hare is also the correct motif for the Chinese zodiac sign 兔 (tù) and for the European Easter Bunny.

What does Nielloa mean — is that a typo of Niello?
No. Nielloa is our brand for the handcrafted niello artworks from the SevChern manufactory. Niello is the technique (dark alloy melted into engraved silver lines), Nielloa is the name of our artwork line. From 2026, we plan to have our own shop for it at niello.de.

Which years are Hare years in the Chinese calendar?
1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023, 2035. The exact start is usually between late January and mid-February (Chinese Spring Festival).

Is this real niello or just blackened silver?
Real niello. At SevChern, there is a clear rule: either pure silver hand engraving or real niello inlay — never artificial oxidation. With this hare, the fur lines are real niello mass, melted in an open flame and permanently bonded to the silver.

Does the hare also fit as an Easter gift without reference to Chinese astrology?
Absolutely — the Easter Bunny is a universal symbol of spring and fertility in Europe and does not require an astrological connection. As a silver Easter piece, it is a stylish alternative to the chocolate bunny.

Is the motif suitable for hunters?
Yes. The hare is one of the classic small game hunting motifs in Europe — Dürer's Young Hare (1502) is the most famous example. As a New Year's Eve hare, hunting season end gift, or hunting lodge decoration, it is a suitable and worthy piece.

Are all hare wall art pieces identical or unique?
Each piece is hand-engraved, and the niello fur lines are hand-melted over an open flame. Even with the same motif, there are small individual differences in the line work — because each master has their own handwriting. These peculiarities are the artist's signature.

Is a certificate of authenticity required?
The product itself is the certificate of authenticity. The master's handwriting in the niello fur drawing, the polished surface, the weight, the 925 silver hallmark, and the manufactory mark prove the authenticity better than any paper.

You might also be interested in

• Chinese Zodiac Signs in 925 Silver — all 12 motifs
• Western Zodiac Signs in 925 Silver — the ZODIAC sister line
• Chinese New Year Gifts — Silver Gifts
• Easter Gifts in 925 Silver
• Hunting Gifts in 925 Silver
• Silver Wall Art with Niello Hand Engraving — entire wall art collection