SAMOVAR, EARLY 20TH CENTURY

The Samovar came into use in Russia in the mid-18th century. Early specimens often resembled vases in shape. The laws of the style dominant in decorative applied art of the period influenced their proportions, ornamentation and even certain structural details.The Samovar with na egg-shaped body upheld the curved rods, the whole resting on a figured base with ball feet, illustrates one of the most popular types in use in the early part of the 19th century. Though rather complex in structure, it is distinguished by a unity of form and elegant, noble outline.

SBITENNIK – SECOND HALF OF THE 18TH CENTURY

The “sbitennik”, shaped somewhat like a kettle but provided with an internal heat-pipe, was an early form of a “self-boiler”, which preceded the samovar. It was used for making and keeping hot the “sbiten”, a most popular Russian drink of mead boiled with sage, St. John’s-vort and spices. This drink was sold by sbiten-vendors right in the streets. The sbitennik continued to form a feature of if Russian daily life even after the invention of the samovar proper, for the popularity of the drink did not abate in the 19th century.

SAMOVAR – FORTIES OF THE 19TH CENTURY

Samovars with the maker’s mark are much less common than those with the satmp of the factory owner. This specimen bears the mark of the master craftsman who produced it, Rodion Kiselyov of Tula. He chose to work with a material of a high decorative quality, in copper. The shape of the samovar is rather complicated. It is an octogonal prism mounted upon a sphere with the top and bottom cut off. The execution is distinguished by great precision and care. The master gave to his production a monumental, solid look.

ELECTRIC SAMOVAR – 1958

The generalized contour, the pleasant flowing lines, and the contrasting combination of black plastic handles with the nickel-plated surface, give a modern look to this specimen which retains in its form, every essential feature of a samovar.

SAMOVAR – FIRST HALF OF THE 19TH CENTURY – VASILY LOMOV’S FACTORY

The reputation of the town and government of Tula as the leader center of the samovar production was firmly established in the second half of the 18th century. At first dozens , and later hundreds of factories and shops, both large and small, worked in this area, vying with each other in the technical and artistic perfection of their productions. This keen competition accounts for the high standards of quality, and for the exceptional great variety of shapes and ornamentation seen in the Tula samovars.The truly inexhaustible imagination of the Tula craftsmen is well illustrated by the samovar shaped as a barrel with hoops, with the figureof a dolphin for the tap.

SAMOVAR – FORTIES OF THE 19TH CENTURY – SERGEI LUKYANOV’S FACTORY IN TULA

This samovar is remarkable for its shape, which imitates that of a “krater”, a vessel used in ancient Greece or mixing wine and water. The form of the “krater” frequently occurs in porcelain, crystal glass and hardstone vases of this period.

SAMOVAR – THIRTIES TO FORTIES OF THE 19TH CENTURY – SILVERED BRASS

In the somewhat affected elegance of its shape and ornamental details (curved handles decorated with rams’ heads. curiously ondulating figures of dolphins adorning the tap), this specimen approaches the Eclectic style in applied arts. The high technical level of workmanship places it among the more expensive productions.

SAMOVAR – SECOND HALF OF THE 19TH CENTURY – NICKEL PLATED

The cube–shaped variety of samovars, well suited for transportation purposes, proved long-lived. Travelling samovars of this type continued to be made throughout the whole of the 19th century. However, the specimens produced in the second half of the century, as compared with earlier types, are distinguished by somewhat heavy proporions, a different treatment of details, and a nickel-plated surface.

SAMOVAR – SEVENTIES OF THE 19TH CENTURY – BRASS

The samovar shaped as the figure of a cock, with decoration imitating ornamental motives carved in wood, illustrates the prevailing pseudo-Russian taste of the period. This execution is remarkable for painstaking accuracy and loving attention of details.

SAMOVAR – SECOND HALF OF THE 19TH CENTURY – FACTORY OF VORONTSOV BROTHERS IN TULA – BRASS

This small samovar, with its cheerful proportions, elegant outline, and the quiet honey tone of the metal, is rather attractive than striking. The Vorontsovs owned two large samovar factories at Tula, one belonging to Vorontsov brothers, and the other to Vorontsov Heirs. The staff of the factories amounted to about three hundred workmen.

SAMOVAR – FIRST HALF OF THE 19TH CENTURY – BRASS

The choice of shapes and sizes was determined not only by aesthetic ideas but also by consideration of convenience. Samovars intended for use on a jouney were of medium size, and had the form of a cube, or an octogonal prism. The curved legs were removable. They could be easily and securely fitted into special sockets.

SAMOVAR – EARLY 20TH CENTURY – M.A. GRETSOV’S FACTORY – TULA - NICKEL PLATED

This miniature samovar is an exact replica of a large-size one both in shape and construction. It may be used to heat three glassfuls of water.

KETTLE-SHAPED SAMOVAR – END OF THE 19TH CENTURY AND BEGINNING OF THE 20TH CENTURY – SHEET BRASS

Alongside with big factories. there existed in Tula and other Russian towns, numerous artisans’ shops which also produced samovars. This craftsmen followed the pattern of the convenient 18th century kettle-shaped type.

SAMOVAR COOKER – SECOND HALF OF THE 19TH CENTURY – NOVIKOV’S FACTORY – NIZHNI-NOVGOROD PROVINCE – DARK COPPER

The samovar cooker shaped as a cauldron was invented at some earlier date. Several specimens have survived from the mid-18th century. In the 19th centuries samovar cookers were also produced at samovar factories. This type of cooker was of a great convenience. It had three compartments and could be used to prepare three dishes at the same time. The food was served with the help of a special ladle.

SAMOVAR – EARLY 20TH CENTURYV.P. PUSHKOV’S FACTORY – MOSCOWNICKEL PLATED

Samovars with the cylindrical body were probably the most widespread variety in the early part of the 20th century. They were very easy to make, and their production cost was considerably lower than that of other types.

SAMOVAR – EARLY 20TH CENTURYTHE BASTASHOV’S FACTORY – TULANICKEL-PLATED

Turnip-shaped samovars were in vogue in the early part of the 20th century. The tap was generally made in branch form. The factories owned by the Balashovs, were among the largest and most famous in Russia. The first of them was founded in 1840.