Lot 0190
Russian Silver-Plated Brass Samovar in the Shape of an Egg
Estimate: 800-1000€
Samovar in the Shape of an Egg
Shemarin Brothers’ Manufactory, Tula, 1880s
Silver-plated brass, wood
Height: 45 cm (including the chimney cap)
This silver-plated brass samovar, crafted in the form of an egg, represents the refined aesthetic and exceptional quality of the Shemarin Brothers’ Manufactory in Tula — one of the foremost samovar producers of late Imperial Russia. The harmonious proportions, fine polish, and elegant detailing reflect the high standards of Tula metalwork in the late 19th century.
The Shemarin Brothers manufactured samovars at a time when Russian tea ceremonies had become a hallmark of cultured domestic life. Their samovars were sought after not only by the Russian nobility and intelligentsia but also by Persian shahs, Indian maharajas, and European aristocrats, who appreciated both their craftsmanship and their aura of Russian luxury.
The dynasty began with Ivan Rodionovich Shemarin, a former serf who earned his freedom and, together with his wife Agrippina and five sons, settled in the Tula province. In 1887, the brothers established their own manufactory, which quickly grew into one of the largest in Russia. By 1904, their enterprise ranked second only to the famed Batashev factory, employing over 700 workers and producing up to 6,000 samovars per month.
Their products gained international acclaim, receiving more than ten medals at world fairs — including a silver medal at the 1889 Paris Exposition Universelle and an honorary diploma at the 1901 Glasgow Exhibition. In 1906, the Shemarins were appointed official suppliers to the Shah of Persia, a distinction shared by only a handful of firms worldwide. A year later, they produced several miniature samovars for Emperor Nicholas II.
The factory’s hallmark was variety and precision: more than a hundred models were made, ranging from traditional coal samovars to alcohol-burning and silver-plated types. Each was inspected personally by the eldest brother before leaving the workshop — a testament to their commitment to excellence.
Starting price: 600€
Estimate: 800-1000€
Hammer Price: 600€
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Lot 0188
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Painting on zinc, silver riza (oklad).
Dimensions: 10 × 7.2 cm
Maker’s mark of I. Udalov.This small double-sided travel icon is an exquisite example of provincial Russian metalwork from the late 19th century. The obverse depicts Saint Martyr John, framed by a finely chased silver riza that leaves the face and hands visible, their darkened tones showing the passage of time. The reverse presents the Deesis composition — Christ enthroned in the center, flanked by the Virgin Mary and St. John the Baptist in prayerful intercession.
The icon’s base is made of zinc — a practical, lightweight metal often used for travel icons. Its chased and engraved silver oklad demonstrates the restrained elegance typical of Nizhniy Novgorod silversmithing.
The maker’s mark belongs to Ivan Ivanovich Udalov (1859–1909), a master silversmith from Nizhniy Novgorod. His hallmark consisted of the initials “ИУ”. Udalov employed one master craftsman, five journeymen, and three apprentices. His workshop produced repoussé and engraved objects in silver and copper, often gilded or silvered. Known works include a reliquary (kovcheg) and an icon cover (oklad) now held in the State Historical Museum, Moscow.
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Lot 0192
Rare Russian Small Brass Samovar “Egoist”
Estimate: 900-1000€
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Estimate: 900-1000€Small Samovar “Egoist” in the Form of a Faceted Cup
Maker’s mark of TUM (Mikhail Polyakov), Tula, 19th century
Brass
Height: 24.5 cmA rare miniature brass samovar known as an “Egoist”, designed for a single person and holding less than one litre. The body is shaped as a faceted cup with smooth walls, gracefully curved handles, and a square base with turned feet. Despite its modest size, the samovar retains all the classical proportions and decorative elegance typical of full-sized examples.
This piece was made at the Polyakov Manufactory, founded in the 1850s by Grigory Dmitrievich Polyakov, a self-taught craftsman from Tula who transformed his small workshop into a thriving steam-powered factory. The enterprise produced medium and large samovars made of brass and tombac, known for their solid construction, excellent quality, and affordable prices.
By the second half of the 19th century, the factory was managed by Grigory’s son Mikhail Polyakov, whose hallmark “TUM” (Tula Union of Masters) appeared on many fine samovars of the period. His products were widely distributed across Russia and became known for their reliability and elegant simplicity.
The “Egoist” samovars — small, portable, and fuel-efficient — were often owned by bachelors or travelers. They heated quickly, consumed little fuel, and reflected the 19th-century fascination with refined practicality.
Later, the family business was continued by Ivan, Pyotr, Alexander, and Hevronia Polyakov, preserving the traditions of quality and craftsmanship established by their predecessors.
Comparable examples are held in the Museum of Samovars and Kettles, which documents the evolution of Russian tea culture and the artistry of Tula metalwork from the 18th to the 20th centuries.
Starting price: 800€
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Lot 0191
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Estimate: 2500-3000€
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Estimate: 2500-3000€Traveling Samovar
I. Malishev Manufactory, Tula, mid-19th century
Brass
Height: 30 cmA rare example of a Russian traveling samovar, produced by the I. Malishev manufactory in Tula — the historic center of samovar craftsmanship.
The body is shaped as a rectangular box with beveled corners and smooth walls. The flat lid features a cylindrical chimney with a narrow ringed projection at the center, cast as one piece with the cover. The handles are cast in the form of stylized palmettes. The spout is faceted, ending with a hook-shaped projection. The detachable, curved legs are faceted, with blade-shaped bases — a distinctive element of early traveling samovars.
Compact and durable, samovars of this type were designed for portability and everyday use during journeys, hunting expeditions, or military campaigns. Their simple yet refined proportions reflect mid-19th-century Tula design aesthetics, balancing practicality and ornamentation.
For a comparable example, see: “The Miracle of the Antique Samovar,” Kolomenskoe Museum, Moscow, 2015.
Starting price: 2000€
Estimate: 2500-3000€
Hammer Price: UNSOLD€