Water carafe 925 silver gold-plated nectar

A water carafe made of 925 sterling silver with a niello motif of peony tendrils and golden bees, gilded on the handle, spout, and base. Crafted by SevChern in Veliky Ustyug, it holds 1,500 ml — enough for an entire dinner service. The combination of polished silver, deep black niello, and warm gold makes this pitcher from the Nektar collection a standalone tableware piece, suitable for everyday water as well as for a silver wedding anniversary.

At a glance

• Material: 925 sterling silver, partially gilded
• Technique: Niello inlay with floral-bee motif
• Dimensions: D 120 × W 180 × H 260 mm
• Capacity: 1,500 ml
• Weight: approx. 1,060 g
• Manufacturer: SevChern, Veliky Ustyug
• Engraving: customizable upon request
• Delivery: in gift packaging
• Hallmark: confirms 925 fineness and manufacturer

Between lush peony tendrils that run in deep niello black across the body of the pitcher, golden bees and butterflies are embedded — as if they had just harvested nectar from the blossoms. The hinged lid features a gilded knob; the handle, spout, and base are also gilded. This gilding is not decoration for decoration's sake: it creates deliberate accents against the dark niello and bright silver, so that three material levels combine to form a cohesive picture.

Material and workmanship

Niello is an inlay work from the depth of the metal, not a coating. First, the motifs are engraved into the silver, then an alloy of silver, copper, lead, and sulfur is melted liquid into the lines. It chemically bonds with the metal, cools to black-grey, and forms a unit that does not flake off or fade. This technique reached its peak in the 17th century in Veliky Ustyug — silversmith families passed down their knowledge through generations. The SevChern workshop still works in this tradition today; each carafe goes through more than 15 steps from silver plate to finished piece. The contrast between polished 925 silver, dark niello, and warm gold is the true artwork of this pitcher.

Use and occasions

With 1,500 ml, the carafe is designed for the large table — for water as well as for juice or wine. 925 sterling silver is food-safe and does not affect the taste. As a gift, it is particularly suitable for a silver wedding anniversary — 25 years of marriage, accompanied by the motif of blossoms and bees collecting nectar together. Also suitable: a milestone birthday, a housewarming party for a new home, or an anniversary of a partnership. The Nektar collection is designed to be modular — matching cups from the same collection can be reordered individually, so that a complete dinner service can be built up piece by piece.

Engraving and SilberVerse Card

The polished silver between the decorative bands offers space for a personal engraving — a date, initials, or a short dedication. Engraving is customizable upon request, just contact us. Upon request, we will include a personalized SilberVerse card in photo format 15 × 10 cm — individually designed, suitable for the occasion, and currently free of charge.

Care

A soft cloth and lukewarm water are sufficient for everyday care. Do not use silver immersion baths — these aggressive cleaners can attack the niello inlay and the gilding. The niello itself is not a lacquer layer, but chemically bonded to the silver and therefore very robust. Not dishwasher safe.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I care for a silver pitcher with niello decoration?
A soft cloth and lukewarm water are sufficient for everyday care. You should avoid silver immersion baths, as they can attack the niello inlay and the gilding.

What exactly is niello silver?
Niello is a dark alloy of silver, copper, lead, and sulfur that is melted into engraved lines and permanently bonds with the base metal. The result is a deep, artistic contrast — like ink burned into silver.

Is this pitcher suitable as a gift for a silver wedding anniversary?
Yes. 25 years of marriage suit a gift made of genuine 925 silver, and the motif of blossoms and bees collecting nectar together further emphasizes this occasion.

You might also be interested in

You can find more pieces for the festive table in our collection Tableware & Silverware. If you are looking for the right idea for a special occasion, you will find it in the Gift Ideas.