12. Silver teapot-samovar, First Silver Artel. Saint Petersburg, early 20th century.

Exquisite silver teapot-samovar, St. Petersburg, early 20th centuryMasters of the First Silver ArtelAn exquisite teapot-samovar, made in the workshops of the First Silver Artel in St. Petersburg at the beginning of the 20th century, is an exceptional example of Russian classicism. This samovar, which was an invariable attribute of table setting, stands out with its complex relief decoration and three-dimensional pattern, reflecting the highest skill of jewelers of that time.The body of the samovar, made in a hemispherical shape, is installed on a rectangular stand resting on legs made in the form of lion`s paws. These elements emphasize the monumentality of the item and its connection with the traditions of European silver art, especially popular in Russia in the first half of the 19th century.The central part is decorated with a relief palmette and spiral decor, giving the samovar a special decorative richness. The low tap, designed in the form of a lion`s head, emphasizes the richness and symbolism of the product. The shoulder of the samovar, smoothly turning into a hinged lid, is also decorated with a geometric pattern, and its top is a stylized pine cone - a popular motif in the decorative arts of that era. Curved side handles, decorated with sculptural decor in the form of lion heads, enhance the overall monumentality of the composition. The samovar embodies the experiments of the masters of the First Silver Artel with forms and motifs inspired by the famous products of English masters of the 19th century, in particular, the works of the great Paul Storr (London, 1771-1844). This item embodies the fusion of Russian and European styles, which was characteristic of the jewelry traditions of the workshop of Julius Rappoport, and later of the First Silver Artel. Their craftsmen created a wide range of items: from small desk items to vases, candelabra and even large formal decorative elements for dining tables, known as surtout de table.Hallmarks: Hallmark of the Moscow District Assay Office with the initials of the manager Ivan Sergeevich Lebedkin (appointed in 1899); Hallmark with an image of a woman`s head in a kokoshnik, facing left, with the initials IL and the hallmark 84, dating from the period 1899-1908; Hallmark of the First Silver Artel (ICA), active in the early 20th century in St. Petersburg.Dimensions: Height 33 cm. Weight of the item: 2620 grams.