Lot 0288
Russian samovar by Gavrila Efimov
Estimate: 1000-1500€
Russian samovar by Gavrila Efimov.
Tula, factory of Gavrila Efimov, Russian Empire, 19th century.
Copper alloy, brass, wood; raising, chasing, polishing, casting.
Dimensions: 42 x 37 x 37 cm.
Marks: stamped in Cyrillic on the base: “ГАВРИЛА ЕФИМОВЪ ВЪ ТУЛѢ”
“Gavrila Efimov in Tula”.
A Russian charcoal-burning samovar of elegant vase form, made by the Tula master Gavrila Efimov. The body has a pronounced narrow constriction below the shoulder and a broad projecting upper rim. The sides are worked with wide concave vertical facets, giving the surface a lively play of reflections and a restrained architectural rhythm.
The upper tray is broad and flat, rising slightly like a collar. The stepped cover is fitted with two small grips and a low cylindrical chimney with a pierced collar. The side handles are composed of upward-curving smooth plates terminating in cast shell-shaped grips; they are attached to the body by oval relief mounts. The tap has a rounded knop and a slender curved handle with a wooden acorn-shaped grip. The samovar stands on a square base with four cast feet modelled as stylised bird claws. Samovars made by well-known factories in the 1850–1880 period, such as A. G. Sokolov, Gavrila Efimov, the Somovs, and others, often had lion-paw feet.
Starting price: 500€
Estimate: 1000-1500€
Hammer Price: €
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Lot 0287
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Estimate: 8000-10000€
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Estimate: 8000-10000€Imperial Russian Samovar
By the Buch Brothers (Gebrüder Buch), Warsaw, mid–19th century
Silver-plated brass
Height: 43.5 cmA rare samovar crafted by the Buch Brothers manufactory, operating in Warsaw during the period when Poland was part of the Russian Empire. This example, distinguished by its sculptural form and intricate metalwork, represents one of the few surviving samovars attributed to this renowned maker.
The body is pear-shaped with narrow vertical fluting. The domed lid, decorated with alternating wide and narrow ovals, merges seamlessly with a conical, pierced chimney. The spout and supports are richly ornamented with vegetal motifs, while the handles — composed of paired, upward-curving elements — imitate stylized plant stems. The baluster-shaped base rests on four circular feet, giving the piece a graceful silhouette.
The Gebrüder Buch firm was first mentioned in 1809, when it established a workshop in St. Petersburg for the production of buttons and metal decorations for military uniforms. Its later owners, Agaton Buch and Karl Ludwig Mauss, were awarded a gold medal by Emperor Alexander II in 1865 for “Diligence and Artistry.”
In the 1860s, Buch and Mauss purchased the Henniger silver-plating factory located at Żelazna Street No. 1146 in Warsaw, marking a new chapter in the company’s history. Their products soon gained recognition for exceptional quality and design. At the Moscow Polytechnic Exhibition of 1872, the Buch Brothers received a gold medal and the right to use the Russian Imperial double-headed eagle emblem on their wares — a privilege granted only to distinguished suppliers.
In 1882, the company merged with its long-time trade partner Norblin & Co., forming the Joint Stock Company of Metal Factories Norblin, Buch Brothers & T. Werner (N.B.W.), one of the most important metallurgical enterprises in Warsaw
Starting price: 7000€
Estimate: 8000-10000€
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Lot 0289
Rare Russian Imperial Brass Samovar, Neoclassical, 19th Century
Estimate: 12000-15000€
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Estimate: 12000-15000€A Rare Russian Imperial Brass Samovar in Neoclassical Form – Late 19th Century.
Height: 51.5 cm.This exquisite Russian Imperial brass samovar, dating from the late 19th century, showcases the elegance and craftsmanship of the era. Designed in a refined neoclassical style, the samovar is a stunning example of Russian artistry and tradition. Its beautifully polished brass body features intricate details that embody the neoclassical aesthetic, making it a standout piece for any collector or connoisseur of Russian antiques.
The samovar bears the maker’s mark of the prestigious I. Kaprizin and Sons manufactory, renowned for producing high-quality metalworks in Tula, the historical center of Russian samovar production. This adds significant provenance and authenticity to the piece, further elevating its value.
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Lot 0286
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Estimate: 900-1000€
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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€
Estimate: 900-1000€
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Lot 0290
Polish Samovar in the Shape of a Cannon
Estimate: 1800-2000€
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Estimate: 1800-2000€Samovar in the Shape of a Cannon
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Height: 50 cmA rare Polish samovar of conical form, produced in Warsaw during the late 19th century, when the city was one of the key centers of metalwork within the Russian Empire.
The body is smooth and tapering, encircled at the top and bottom by a relief frieze of small circular ornaments. The domed lid rises to a conical chimney with a detachable pierced collar forming a decorative pattern. The spout stem is shaped with a central ringed molding, while the spout’s bracket features a curved, sculptural design. Handles are composed of paired, upward-curving plates with cast vegetal ornament, attached to the body with oval relief mounts. The base rests on four claw-shaped feet extending forward, giving the piece a bold, architectural balance.
The overall silhouette — massive yet refined — recalls the profile of a cannon, a form that became popular among Warsaw and Tula craftsmen in the mid-19th century as a symbol of strength and innovation.
Starting price: 1400€
Estimate: 1800-2000€
Hammer Price: €