Teaglass Holder Set "Bronze Horseman" antique patinated 925 silver in case — 3-piece with coat of arms

If a single monument encapsulates a city, it is the Bronze Horseman – Peter the Great on horseback, high atop the colossal granite block, gazing west, the horse rearing on its hind legs, a crushed serpent beneath its hooves. Erected in 1782 in Senate Square in St. Petersburg, created by French sculptor Étienne Falconet by order of Catherine the Great, made famous by Alexander Pushkin's verse epic "The Bronze Horseman" (1833) – no other image so clearly represents Russia's turn to the West, or St. Petersburg as a window to Europe. Our "Bronze Horseman antique patinated" tea glass holder set features the famous equestrian statue in sculptural detail within the central escutcheon medallion: Peter on horseback, rocky plinth, the rearing horse, all in silver high-relief. The ArgentA-typical blackening in the recesses makes the equestrian scene stand out sculpturally. Also included is a classic table teaspoon, a checkered crystal glass, and the velvet-lined premium case in navy blue. St. Petersburg Gift Russia's Most Famous Monument in 925 Silver Since Pushkin, the Bronze Horseman has been a symbol of St. Petersburg and Russia's turn to the West — a classic gift for lovers of Russian history and travelers to St. Petersburg. Discover all gift sets in 925 silver. View Gift Sets The Bronze Horseman – A Story in Stone, Bronze, and Verse The commission came in 1766: Catherine the Great wanted to erect a monument to her predecessor, Peter the First, that would be worthy enough – and thereby simultaneously solidify her own position as the rightful heir to Peter's reforms. The commission was given to the French sculptor Étienne Maurice Falconet, a student of French classicism. He arrived in St. Petersburg in 1766 and worked on the piece for twelve years. Falconet chose an unusual composition: Peter does not sit on a calmly standing horse (as in most equestrian statues of the time), but on a rearing animal – the horse on its hind legs, the front legs in the air. This is mechanically highly demanding: the entire weight rests on two hind hooves plus the horse's tail, which secures a crushed serpent between the ground and the horse's belly. The serpent symbolizes the overcome reactionaries and superstitions against which Peter fought with his reforms. The plinth is a story in itself: a single granite monolith from the Gulf of Finland, the "Thunder Stone" (Russian: Гром-камень). At 1,250 tons, it was the largest stone ever moved by man – transported over land with special sledges and by water on a specially built ship over 9 months to St. Petersburg. The simple inscription on the plinth reads: "PETRO primo CATHARINA secunda" ("To Peter the First Catherine the Second") – the Russian version on the back. The monument was erected on August 7, 1782, on Senate Square, on the banks of the Neva, facing west – symbolically towards Sweden and the Baltic Sea, the gateway to European Russia. The Bronze Horseman stands there to this day. During World War II, during the siege of Leningrad, it was covered with sandbags and wooden planks – and survived all attacks. Pushkin and "The Bronze Horseman" – The Literary Myth What elevated the monument from the realm of sculpture into Russia's literary consciousness was Alexander Pushkin's verse epic "Медный всадник" (often translated as "The Bronze Horseman") from 1833. In it, Pushkin tells the story of a minor official named Evgeny, who loses his fiancée in the great St. Petersburg flood of 1824 and, in his madness, accuses Peter's equestrian statue – whereupon the Bronze Horseman descends from its pedestal at night and chases him through the wet streets. Since then, the verse epic has been the literary mirror for Russia's ambivalent relationship with its Western-oriented reformer: admiration for the vision, sorrow for the victims of that vision. For Petersburgers, the Bronze Horseman is therefore not just a tourist landmark, but a piece of self-understanding – the city that was stamped out of the swamp, with all the pain that cost. The Coat of Arms Motif on Our Holder On the Podstakannik, you see the Bronze Horseman in its classic depiction: Peter on horseback on the rocky plinth, the horse rearing, all in sculptural silver high-relief. Around it, a laurel wreath with a ribbon – as with our other crest sets in the ArgentA Classic. Posuda line. The blackening in the recesses makes the composition appear deeper and more sculptural; the raised areas shine silvery. Collectors will recognize the holder's design: the same classicist column structure as in the double-headed eagle antique set, the St. George set, and the Master set, the same stirrup handle with a beaded edge, the same acanthus volutes, the same laurel wreath in the medallion. Only the central image is different. You can place the sets side by side – they look like a family of crests collectively filling a cabinet. What's in the Set? Podstakannik "Bronze Horseman" antique patinated: 925 silver, height approx. 95 mm, Ø approx. 72 mm, approx. 129 g. Classicist column structure with a central oval medallion, in which the equestrian statue of Peter the Great is sculpturally integrated. Recesses blackened, raised surfaces polished. Acanthus volutes, laurel wreath with ribbon, stirrup handle with beaded edge. Classic Teaspoon: 925 silver, length approx. 130 mm, approx. 22 g. Elegant sterling silver handle with a classic oval end and subtle acanthus decorations at the neck. Highly polished bowl – simpler and calmer than the Imperator variant, fitting the monumental character of the holder. "Chayny" (Checkered) Crystal Glass: classic Russian tea glass, approx. 200 ml, 65 × 100 mm, cut checkered pattern. Replaceable consumable, easy to substitute. Premium Navy Blue Case: velvet-lined, approx. 132 × 132 × 165 mm. Protects the silver from air exposure and serves as finished gift packaging. Gilded Variant? Available on Request Our standard set is the antique patinated variant with blackening. However, ArgentA also produces the coat of arms medallion in a gilded finish — the Bronze Horseman 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 contact us briefly — 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 needs to be produced. Alternatively: We already offer the holder as a "Bronze Horseman" solo variant (podstakannik only, without glass, spoon, and case) — practical if you want to complement several holders for a dinner service or use your own glass. When is the Bronze Horseman Set particularly suitable? Gift for St. Petersburg enthusiasts, St. Petersburg travelers, former residents. Collectors of Russian history and literature – Pushkin readers will immediately recognize the reference. Russian-German families with St. Petersburg roots – as an heirloom and reminder of home. Father's Day gift for men with an interest in history, architecture, classic travel memories. Gift for Slavists, Russian teachers, historians, art historians. Diplomatic and embassy gift – the Bronze Horseman is one of the few undeniably prestigious Russian symbols, culturally interpretable rather than politically. Gift for riders, equestrians, horse breeders – the most famous rider in Russian art. Heirloom and generational gift – value-stable, collectible, gift-ready in its case. Material and Care 925 sterling silver, highly polished, with blackening in the recesses of the 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 off 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. Checkered glass: dishwasher safe on a short gentle cycle; hand washing is gentler and keeps it crystal clear. For heavier tarnishing of polished surfaces: use a soft silver polishing cloth without abrasives over the raised areas, never in the blackened recesses. Comparison with other Argenta Tea Sets We offer several ArgentA tea sets. Which one suits which occasion? Bronze Horseman antique patinated (this set): St. Petersburg, Falconet monument of Peter the Great, Pushkin reference. St. Petersburg enthusiasts, Slavists, riders, collectors of Russian history. St. George the Victorious antique: Patron saint on horseback, dragon-slaying scene. Father, Orthodox Christians, Name Day George, riders. 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 crest field for personal engraving. Director, father, business anniversary. Troika: Russian folk symbol, three horses in a winter sleigh. Russia enthusiasts, wedding, winter gift. Hunters at Rest (Perov): High relief after Perov painting 1871. Art connoisseurs and hunters. Capercaillie Hunt: Big game high-relief, capercaillie sculpture as spoon finial. Hunters, Hubertus brothers. For those who prefer coffee over tea: also check out our coffee sets Libellula and Rosalia. Frequently Asked Questions about the Bronze Horseman Set What exactly does the holder depict? The famous equestrian statue of Peter the Great by Étienne Falconet (1782) in Senate Square, St. Petersburg. Peter on horseback on a rearing animal, standing on the granite monolith "Thunder Stone". Beneath the hooves, the crushed serpent, symbol of overcome reaction. Sculptural silver high-relief with blackening in the recesses. Why is it called the "Bronze" Horseman if the original is made of bronze? In Russian, it is called "Медный всадник" – where "медный" actually means "copper". In the 19th century, bronze was colloquially often referred to as "copper" because it is primarily composed of copper. Pushkin used the common expression of the time. In German, "Bronzener Reiter" or "eherner Reiter" have become established – both are common. Does the set have a gilded variant? The standard is the antique patinated variant (this set here). ArgentA produces the gilded set variant with the Bronze Horseman in gold on a silver base on request – contact us briefly, and we will order the special configuration directly from the manufacturer in Kolchugino. Delivery time will be slightly longer. Is the holder also available without glass and spoon? Yes – we offer the holder as a "Bronze Horseman" solo variant (podstakannik with tea glass only, without spoon and case). Which spoon is included in the set? A classic table teaspoon – elegant handle with an oval end and subtle acanthus decorations at the neck, highly polished bowl. Simpler in design than the "Imperator" or "Edinstvo" spoons of the other sets, fitting the monumental character of the holder: the emblem should be the focus, not the spoon. Is the blackening the same as niello? No. Niello is a sulfur-silver inlay technique (e.g., SevChern from Veliky Ustyug) where black compound is melted into engravings. The ArgentA blackening is a superficial patination in the recesses, which enhances the 3D effect of high-reliefs. How big is the drinking glass? The checkered crystal glass holds approx. 200 ml – ideal for a classic Russian tea cup with strong black tea. Note: Argenta supplies either checkered cut or diamond cut depending on availability; both fit the holder and can be reordered. Is this set suitable as a gift for women? The equestrian motif is traditionally considered masculine, but the set is certainly suitable for women with a strong connection to St. Petersburg, for female Slavists, art historians, or equestrians. For gender-neutral Russian gifts, we recommend our Troika set or the coffee sets Libellula and Rosalia as alternatives. Is the set dishwasher safe? No, not the silver components. Please hand wash the holder and spoon only. The checkered crystal glass is robust and dishwasher safe on a short gentle cycle – though hand washing is gentler here too. Who is the manufacturer? The set comes from ArgentA, the silver manufacturer from Kolchugino in the Vladimir Oblast (Russia). Classic line "Classic. Posuda" – complete in-house production from melting to hand polishing, ECO-certified 925 sterling silver. Tea glass holder set "Bronze Horseman antique patinated" — at a glance Set: Podstakannik + checkered crystal glass + classic table teaspoon, 3-piece Material: 925 Sterling silver with blackening in the recesses of the emblem Style: Classicism / Empire — columns, laurel wreath, acanthus volutes Motif: Equestrian statue of Peter the Great by Falconet (1782, St. Petersburg) Holder dimensions: Height approx. 95 mm · Ø approx. 72 mm · Glass 200 ml Silver weight: approx. 151 g (holder 129 g + spoon 22 g) Case: Premium navy blue, velvet-lined, approx. 132 × 132 × 165 mm Manufacturer: ArgentA, Kolchugino (Vladimir Oblast, Russia) Delivery: Free shipping (DE) · 30-day return · gift-ready in case Gilded set variant: available for order from us on request (longer delivery time) Solo holder: Bronze Horseman (with tea glass, without spoon and case) Related sets: 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 Tea Glass Holders with Tea Glass From St. Petersburg's Bronze Horseman to the Double-Headed Eagle and St. George, to the flying Troika – discover our entire world of Russian tea culture in 925 silver. 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