I remember being fascinated with the Russian samovar. Those in the Palace were ornate and, in some cases, enormous. But nearly every home had one. Brass, silver, ceramic, plain or highly decorated, they all served the same purpose: to keep hot beverages hot or cold ones cold.
Russia, they boiled water for tea.
The samovar is a large urn-like body with a space around or under the water tank into which hot coals or bits of wood were placed. The heat from the burning material would boil the water. The early Roman models, called an “autepsa”, had the body divided into two parts with a tank for water above and another tank for burning charcoal below. Later models had a single tank for water with a compartment down the center for the hot coals.
And, if you needed refreshment during the hot summer months, ice was placed into the compartment to chill the water in the samovar.
The
samovar can still be bought. The Russian town of Tula has become synonymous with
the samovar because it is where all the craftsmen live and work. The samovar
comes in all shapes and sizes, simple brass or silver, to works of ceramic and metal-working
art.
Thank you for stopping by!
Tracy Garrett
www.facebook.com/Author_TracyGarrett
I had no idea the samovar was so ancient. I've learned something. I was also sent to Russia for work. It was very peculiar, being followed around everywhere, and being guided by someone obviously in the employ of the KGB. Thankfully someone told me to bring a bath plug, as the hotels never had them to save water. The underground is outstandingly beautiful, as is Red Square in the snow.
ReplyDeleteI loved my visit, even in January. I wasn't enamored of visiting Lenin's tomb, but that was a required item on the itinerary.
DeleteThanks for stopping by.
Tracy,
ReplyDeleteI knew nothing about a samovar until now. Thank you for this mini history lesson. :-) I'm somewhat on the clutzy side. I'd be afraid to touch a samovar for fear of breaking it. lol You've heard the rhyme, "Lovely to look at, delightful to hold, but it you break it, then its sold". Do you own a samovar?
I do have a small pewter one, but I don't use it. I don't trust the lining to protect from the lead content. But it always brings back good memories.
ReplyDeleteTracy, this is amazing. I didn't even know there was such a thing! HOW COOL! I bet there are some really gorgeous ones out there. Thanks for blogging about this--I learned something new.
ReplyDeleteCheryl, I remember seeing some in the Winter Palace that were 3-4 FEET tall. Enormous ceramic vessels, covered in gilt and art. They were beautiful.
DeleteThey are stunning. I thank you for bringing them to our attention. I'd heard of them, but hadn't bothered to look. Now, I wish I had. Doris
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting experience you had visiting Russia. I knew about the samovar for hot tea, but didn't know it was also used to keep drinks cold by having ice instead of hot water in one compartment. I'm relieved wannabe conquerors never made it to St. Petersburg to rob and ruin the beautiful treasurers in the palace. I've always loved the Romanoff eggs. I enjoyed your blog, Tracy, and learned more about samovars.
ReplyDeleteYour photos are beautiful examples, and I didn't know they were also used for cold drinks. Thanks for your informative post.
ReplyDeleteWhat an exciting trip, Tracy. I would have never heard of a samovar if it had not been for this post...what a fabulous idea for hot or cold drinks. Did you buy one?
ReplyDeleteI also did not know tea could come in the form of syrup. That was also interesting.
One place I would never want to be in winter is Russia. Kinda scary about the "guides" following you everywhere.
Great blog, as always. All the best to you, Tracy.
The pictures are beautiful. I like the information you gave us.
ReplyDeleteWhen I lived in Hungary, an Austrian man I knew still used a samovar. I loved sitting in his ancient house and drinking tea. Even simple samovars are truly beautiful, but the photos you've shown us are incredible.
ReplyDelete