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

If you experience the last seconds of the old year in Russia, you will hear them: the chimes of the Spasskaya Tower on Red Square, broadcast throughout the country, without which no Russian New Year begins. The tower with the clock and the red star is more than a landmark — it is Russia's most visible timepiece, the equivalent of Big Ben for the Russian sensibility. Our "Spasskaya Tower antique patinated" teaglass holder set features Moscow's landmark sculpturally in the central heraldic medallion: the tower with its clock and star, with the silhouette of St. Basil's Cathedral and the Kremlin wall in the background. The ArgentA-typical blackening in the recesses makes the city vignette stand out sculpturally. Plus a classic table teaspoon, a diamond-cut crystal glass, and the velvet-lined premium case in navy blue. Moscow Kremlin Symbol Russia's New Year Tower in 925 Silver The Spasskaya Tower is Russia's most visible timepiece — a classic gift for Moscow lovers, Russia travelers, and anyone who thinks of Russia at New Year's. Discover all gift sets in 925 silver. View Gift Sets The Spasskaya Tower — History of the Gate to the Kremlin The Spasskaya Tower (Russian Спасская башня — literally "Savior Tower") was built in 1491 by the Italian architect Pietro Antonio Solari, one of the Renaissance master builders invited to Moscow by Ivan III. At 71 meters high, it is one of the tallest towers of the Kremlin wall and also the most important gate: for centuries, Russian tsars entered the Kremlin through it for their coronations. It got its name from the Icon of the Savior (Russian Спас — Spas) that was placed above the gate. Everyone who passed through the tower had to take off their hat before this icon — even the Tsar. Today, the icon stands there again, after it was painted over during the Soviet era and uncovered in 2010. Until 1935, the tower bore the tsarist double-headed eagle on its top. Then the Bolsheviks replaced the eagle with a five-pointed star made of ruby glass, which still shines on the tower's spire today — illuminated from within. The "Kremlin star" became a symbol of the USSR and remained on top even after 1991. The Kremlin Bells — Russia's Voice for New Year's What makes the Spasskaya Tower present in every Russian living room are its bells. Since the 17th century, the tower has housed the Kremljowskije kuranty (Kremlin Chimes) — a mechanical clock with a carillon that rings every quarter of an hour. The main bell strikes on the hour. Since 1996, the sound of the bells has been part of the official Russian New Year's ritual: precisely at midnight on December 31st, the President delivers his New Year's address, after which state television broadcasts the twelve strokes of the Spasskaya bell — and in every Russian household, champagne corks pop as the last seconds of the old year merge with the chimes. For Russian Germans, this is a piece of home that is often still allowed to play out in German living rooms on December 31st. The Heraldic Motif on Our Holder On the Podstakannik, you see the Spasskaya Tower in its classic depiction: the tower with its clock and star, with the silhouettes of the adjacent Kremlin wall and St. Basil's Cathedral in front and to the side. A small city vignette of Red Square, set in an oval medallion with a laurel wreath and ribbon. The blackening in the recesses gives the architecture a three-dimensional effect; the raised surfaces shine silver. The holder's design belongs to the ArgentA heraldic family of the Classic line. Posuda — the same classical columnar structure as the Double-Headed Eagle Set, the St. George Set, the Bronze Horseman Set, and the Master Set. The same acanthus volutes, the same stirrup handle with a beaded edge. You can place the sets side by side — they look like a coherent heraldic family, together filling a cabinet. What's in the Set? Podstakannik "Spasskaya Tower" antique patinated: 925 silver, approx. 126 g. Classical columnar structure with a central oval medallion, in which the Spasskaya Tower with star, clock, and Kremlin vignette is sculpturally incorporated. Recesses blackened, raised surfaces polished. Acanthus volutes, laurel wreath with ribbon, stirrup handle with beaded edge. Dimensions according to manufacturer's data sheet approx. 68 × 68 mm square, Ø approx. 68 mm. Classic teaspoon: 925 silver, length approx. 130 mm, approx. 22 g. Elegant cutlery handle with a classic oval handle end and subtle acanthus decorations at the neck. Highly polished bowl — simpler and calmer than the Imperator variant, suitable for the monumental character of the Kremlin motif. Crystal glass "Chayny" (diamond): classic Russian teaglass, approx. 200 ml, 65 × 100 mm, cut diamond pattern. Replaceable consumable part, easy to replace. Premium case navy blue: velvet-lined, approx. 132 × 132 × 165 mm. Protects the silver from air contact and is the finished gift packaging. Gilded Version? Available Upon Request Our standard set is the antique patinated version with blackening. However, ArgentA also produces the heraldic medallion in a gilded version — the Spasskaya Tower then in warm gold on a silver base, comparable to our gilded Double-Headed Eagle Set. If you would like the gilded set variant, simply send us a short message — we will order the special combination directly from the manufacturer in Kolchugino. Delivery time will be slightly longer than for the standard set, as the special configuration will be produced. When is the Spasskaya Tower Set particularly suitable? Gift for Moscow lovers, Moscow travelers, former residents. Russian German families — the tower and its bells are one of the few symbols that remain connected across all generations. New Year's gift — in Russia, December 31st is considered the most important family celebration, and the Spasskaya bells are the official midnight signal. Gift for Slavists, Russian teachers, historians, architecture lovers. Father's Day gift for men with a connection to Russian history and architecture. Diplomat and embassy gift — the Spasskaya Tower is a Russian symbol with cultural rather than political significance (even Western tourists recognize it immediately). Heirloom and passing-on gift — value-stable, collectible, ready to gift in its case. Collector of heraldic silver art — as an addition to the ArgentA heraldic family (Double-Headed Eagle, St. George, Bronze Horseman, Master). Material and Care 925 Sterling silver, highly polished, with blackening in the recesses of the heraldic medallion. The blackening is the typical ArgentA superficial patination (NOT Niello — that is a different inlay technique of our SevChern line). Clean holder and spoon only by hand with warm water, mild detergent, and a soft cloth — never in the dishwasher, never rub away the blackening in the recesses with silver polish. Wipe dry after use, preferably store in the case — protects against air contact and delays natural tarnishing. Diamond-cut glass: dishwasher safe on a short gentle cycle; by hand is gentler and clearer. For stronger tarnishing of polished surfaces: use a soft silver polishing cloth without abrasive grains on the raised areas, never in the blackened recesses. Comparison with other ArgentA Tea Sets We carry several ArgentA tea sets side by side. Which one is suitable for which occasion? Spasskaya Tower antique patinated (this set): Moscow Kremlin with star, bell symbolism. Moscow lovers, New Year's gift, Slavists, collectors of Russian history. Bronze Horseman antique: St. Petersburg, Falconet monument of Peter the Great, Pushkin reference. St. Petersburg lovers, Slavists, horse riders. St. George the Victorious antique: Patron saint on horseback, dragon-fighting scene. Father, Orthodox Christians, St. George's Day. Double-Headed Eagle antique patinated: Russian coat of arms eagle, railway reference. Railway veteran, father, collector. Double-Headed Eagle gilded: Coat of arms eagle in gold, representative. Diplomats, offices, festive occasions. The Master: Same design, empty heraldic field for personal engraving. Director, father, business anniversary. Troika: Russian folk symbol, three horses in a winter sleigh. Russia enthusiasts, wedding, winter gift. Hunter at Rest (Perov): High relief based on Perov's painting 1871. Art connoisseurs and hunters. Capercaillie Hunt: High game high relief, capercaillie sculpture as spoon finial. Hunters, Hubertus brothers. If you prefer coffee over tea as a gift: check out our coffee sets Libellula and Rosalia. Frequently Asked Questions about the Spasskaya Tower Set What exactly does the holder depict? The Spasskaya Tower in the Moscow Kremlin — the corner tower with a clock and a five-pointed red star, behind it a vignette of the Kremlin wall and St. Basil's Cathedral. Sculptural silver high relief with blackening in the recesses, set in an oval medallion with a laurel wreath and ribbon. Why is it called "Spasskaya" Tower? The name comes from the Icon of the Savior (Russian Спас — Spas) placed above the gate. "Spasskaya Bashnya" literally means "Savior's Tower". In English, "Spasskaya Tower" (transliterated) and "Savior's Tower" (translated) are equally common. Are these the bells for New Year's? Yes — the main bell of the Spasskaya Tower (one of several) has been the official midnight signal in Russian TV broadcasts on New Year's Eve since 1996. Exactly at 12:00 AM, it strikes twelve times — Russia celebrates New Year's. Does the set have a gilded variant? The standard is the antique patinated version (this set here). The gilded set variant with the Spasskaya Tower in gold on a silver base is manufactured by ArgentA upon request — send us a short message, and we will order the special configuration directly from the factory in Kolchugino. Delivery time will be slightly longer. Is the holder also available without glass and spoon? We do not currently carry the solo holder (Podstakannik only without glass, spoon, and case) in this variant — only as a complete set. For solo holders of this heraldic family, check out the Bronze Horseman, the St. George antique, the St. George gilded, or the Master. Which spoon is in the set? A classic table teaspoon — elegant handle with an oval handle end and subtle acanthus decorations at the neck, highly polished bowl. Simpler in design than the "Imperator" or "Edinstvo" spoons of other sets, suitable for the monumental character of the holder's motif. Is the blackening the same as Niello? No. Niello is a sulfur-silver inlay technique (e.g., SevChern from Veliky Ustyug) where black paste is melted into engravings. ArgentA blackening is a superficial patination in the recesses that enhances the 3D effect of high reliefs. How big is the drinking glass? The diamond-cut crystal glass holds approx. 200 ml — ideal for a classic Russian teacup with strong black tea. Note: ArgentA supplies diamond-cut or faceted cut depending on availability; both fit the holder in terms of size and can be reordered. Is the set suitable for women's gifts? Unlike the equestrian sets (Bronze Horseman, St. George), the Spasskaya Tower motif is gender-neutral. Suitable for Moscow-affine women, Russian Germans, Slavists — and of course for the shared New Year's ritual. Is the set dishwasher safe? No, not the silver components. Please clean the holder and spoon only by hand. The diamond-cut crystal glass is robust and dishwasher safe on a short gentle cycle — but hand washing is gentler here too. Who is the manufacturer? The set comes from ArgentA, the silver manufacturer from Kolchugino in the Vladimir region (Russia). Classic line "Classic. Posuda" — complete in-house production from melting to hand polishing, ECO-certified 925 sterling silver. Teaglass holder set "Spasskaya Tower antique patinated" — at a glance Set: Podstakannik + diamond-cut crystal glass + classic table teaspoon, 3-piece Material: 925 Sterling silver with blackening in the recesses of the coat of arms Style: Classicism / Empire — columns, laurel wreath, acanthus volutes Motif: Spasskaya Tower with star, clock, and Kremlin vignette (Red Square, Moscow) Holder dimensions: approx. 68 × 68 mm square · Ø approx. 68 mm · Glass 200 ml Silver weight: approx. 148 g (holder 126 g + spoon 22 g) Case: Premium Navy blue, velvet-lined, approx. 132 × 132 × 165 mm Manufacturer: ArgentA, Kolchugino (Vladimir region, Russia) Delivery: Free shipping (DE) · 30 days return · ready for gifting in case Gilded set variant: available for order from us upon request (longer delivery time) Related sets: Bronze Horseman antique, St. George antique, Double-Headed Eagle antique, Double-Headed Eagle gilded, The Master Note: Blackening is superficial patination, NOT Niello (see SevChern assortment) Russian Tea Tradition All Teaglass Holders with Teaglass From Moscow's Spasskaya Tower to St. Petersburg's Bronze Horseman and Double-Headed Eagle to the flying Troika — discover our whole world of Russian tea culture in 925 silver. View Teaglass Holders