At the turn of the 20th centuries, a new device for making tea and coffee came in Russia from Europe. It was bouillotte. Bouillotte was a small vessel with a tap on a stand. There was a spirit lamp inside. Unlike the samovar, the bouillotte did not have a brazier, so usually the water was not boiled in it. The water was already hot, and a small spirit lamp kept the temperature up.
First bouillottes were used for heating the water in the campaigns. In Russia under Catherine II, they became an addition to the samovar and were a sign of aristocratic luxury. Tula craftsmen made them from silver, copper, or valuable alloys. Samovars were massive. They were heated with wood or coal in the kitchens or in the yard, and a lighter bouillotte was put on the table. At the turn of 19th centuries, there were other ways to use it. It was used for brewing grog, mulled wine, or punch on red wine, coffee, and even eggs for breakfast. They could make coffee for four people at once in one bouillotte. Preheated water allowed to reduce the cooking time. Readiness was determined using a special lid in the shape of a dome.
The body of the presented bouillotte is made in the form of a ball with a low neck. It has a brass plate with the inscription ‘WMF’, which means Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik, i.e. Württembergische Metalware Factory. On the other side, there is the following inscription: ‘From M.F. 1911. For 10 years. No. 49899’. It shows that the factory received a patent from the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Empire for 10 years, i.e. from 1911 to 1921. The company that received such a patent had the exclusive right to manufacture the product during the specified time. All enterprises or their branches had to be located within the borders of the Russian Empire. This was one of the mandatory conditions for obtaining a patent. The Kingdom of Poland at that time was part of the Russian Empire.
In 1900, the Warsaw metal production company ‘Plewkiewicz & Co’ became a branch of WMF. This branch was intended to conquer the Eastern European market, including the Russian one. The history of the German brand WMF has more than 160 years. All these years, the company has been a constant success due to its incredible enterprise, as well as constant introduction of new styles, materials, and technologies.
A bouillotte is not forgotten in our time. Modern people actively purchase this item and its copies at auctions and antique shops. Modern glass, porcelain teapots on a candle, or fondue cups are descendants of a bouillotte.
First bouillottes were used for heating the water in the campaigns. In Russia under Catherine II, they became an addition to the samovar and were a sign of aristocratic luxury. Tula craftsmen made them from silver, copper, or valuable alloys. Samovars were massive. They were heated with wood or coal in the kitchens or in the yard, and a lighter bouillotte was put on the table. At the turn of 19th centuries, there were other ways to use it. It was used for brewing grog, mulled wine, or punch on red wine, coffee, and even eggs for breakfast. They could make coffee for four people at once in one bouillotte. Preheated water allowed to reduce the cooking time. Readiness was determined using a special lid in the shape of a dome.
The body of the presented bouillotte is made in the form of a ball with a low neck. It has a brass plate with the inscription ‘WMF’, which means Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik, i.e. Württembergische Metalware Factory. On the other side, there is the following inscription: ‘From M.F. 1911. For 10 years. No. 49899’. It shows that the factory received a patent from the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Empire for 10 years, i.e. from 1911 to 1921. The company that received such a patent had the exclusive right to manufacture the product during the specified time. All enterprises or their branches had to be located within the borders of the Russian Empire. This was one of the mandatory conditions for obtaining a patent. The Kingdom of Poland at that time was part of the Russian Empire.
In 1900, the Warsaw metal production company ‘Plewkiewicz & Co’ became a branch of WMF. This branch was intended to conquer the Eastern European market, including the Russian one. The history of the German brand WMF has more than 160 years. All these years, the company has been a constant success due to its incredible enterprise, as well as constant introduction of new styles, materials, and technologies.
A bouillotte is not forgotten in our time. Modern people actively purchase this item and its copies at auctions and antique shops. Modern glass, porcelain teapots on a candle, or fondue cups are descendants of a bouillotte.
