A snowstorm in Octoder
Khokhloma
Khokhloma painted wooden ware originated in the Russian village of that name (Volga region) at the turn of the 17th century. Khokhloma painting is distinguished by resplendent colours and a whole set of traditional floral patterns. Khokhloma ware, which includes dinner services, sets for kvass and pancakes, decorative bowls and dishes, scoops and spoons, articles…
DetailsSAMOVAR. Early 20th cent. M. A. Gretsov’s factory. Tula Nickel-plated. Ht. 26 cm. State Russian Museum
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.
SAMOVAR. First half of the 19th cent. Brass. Ht. 30 cm. State Russian Museum
The choice of shapes and sizes was determined not only by aesthetic ideas but also by considerations of convenience. Samovars intended for use on a journey were of medium size, and had the form of a cube or of an octagonal prism. The curved legs were removable. They could be easily and securely fitted into…
DetailsSAMOVAR COOKER. Second half of the 19th cent. Novikov’s factory. Nizhni-Novgorod Province Dark copper. Ht. 43.5 cm. State Russian Museum
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 century samovar cookers were also produced at samovar factories. This type of cooker was a great convenience. It had three compartments and could be used to prepare three dishes at a…
DetailsSAMOVAR. Second half of the 19th cent. Nickel-plated. Ht. 39.5 cm. State Russian Museum
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 heavier proportions, a different treatment of details,…
DetailsKETTLE-SHAPED SAMOVAR. End of the 19th cent.— beginning of the 20th cent. Sheet brass. Ht. 29 cm. Private collection. Saint Petersburg
Alongside with big factories, there existed, In Tula and other Russian towns, numerous artisans’ shops which also produced samovars. This craftsman followed the pattern of the convenient 18th century kettle-shaped type.
SAMOVAR. First half of the 19th cent. Vasili Lomov’s factory. Tula Brass. Ht. 38.5 cm. State Russian Museum
The reputation of the town and government of Tula as the leading centre of 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…
DetailsSBITENNIK. Second half of the 18th cent. Nizhni-Novgorod Province Copper, patinated reddish-brown. Ht. 32 cm. State Museum of the Ethnography of the Peoples of the Russia
The “sbitennik”, shaped somewhat like a kettle but provided with an internal heat-pipe, was an early form of “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-wort and spices. This drink was sold by sbiten-vendors right in…
DetailsSAMOVAR. Seventies of the 19th cent. Brass. Ht. 38 cm. (without the funnel) State Russian Museum
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. The execution is remarkable for painstaking accuracy and a loving attention to detail.