KB 050

Bros Somovy

1850s – 1870s

Russian Empire, Tula

tombac, wood

casting, forging, pressing

H 47 W 47 cm

7 liters

maker’s mark:

ВЪ ТУЛIЪ ИЗДЕЛИЯ БРАТЬЕВЪ СОМОВЫХЪ

The body is shaped like a vase, hammer-decorated with spoonwork and widening toward the top, with a constricted neck in the upper section. The rim is decorated with shaped ornamental leaves. The samovar has no draft opening and stands on a massive square base supported by four stylized lion’s-paw legs. The body and the draft opening section are fastened together with a bolt. On the neck of the draft opening there are four holes on each side. The grate is missing. The handles consist of two openwork plates connected by wooden grips, attached to the body with large rosettes. The spigot is cast and faceted, with a relief rosette at the base. The tap key is shaped like a branch. The lid is stepped, with two matched wooden knobs and a steam vent. The crown has decorative cutouts around the entire diameter and is inserted into the internal tube. The chimney cap is stepped, cast, and fitted with a wooden knob, also inserted into the tube. On the front side of the base is the stamp: “V TULE IZDELIYA BRATYEV SOMOVYKH.” The samovar was purchased from the family of Laura Vance in Denver in 2025. It was brought from the USSR in 1956 by Laura’s father, who served as a military attaché in Moscow.