For a relatively short historical period, the samovar held an important place in the everyday lives of Russian people. The nickel-plated turnip-shaped samovar was often referred to as a merchant’s samovar. A tea party in a Russian merchant’s home could not be imagined without a samovar. It was a symbol of hospitality. Its presence in a household indicated that its owners were wealthy.

As soon as a family acquired a samovar, it took pride of place among other household items. It was no coincidence that this device was nicknamed the “General of the Table.” The turnip samovar from the museum collection was made in the 19th century. It was richly decorated and stood out with its unique design.

Such a samovar had a relatively simple design. The heating element consisted of a metal pipe. The body with handles was placed on a large, hollow stand. Charcoal was placed inside the chimney, which burned and gave off heat to the water. The legs provided stability to the structure and prevented fires.

The body of the samovar is the main part of the structure. It is connected to the tray. The handles are located on the sides, making the device convenient to carry. The faucet consists of several parts, each with its own name. The crank was used to turn the faucet on or off. The crank is bent to the side and resembles an intertwined stem.

In some samovar models, the handle was decorated with an openwork element. The design of samovars changed over time, reflecting the changing fashion trends. Until the mid-19th century, tea was only popular among the nobility. This is why samovar designs reflected the tastes of wealthy individuals.

For most people, tea was an expensive drink. Samovars were often decorated with various ornamental elements, beautiful paintings, and factory medals. The price could vary widely depending on the materials used for production and decoration, as well as the complexity of the work. Turnip-shaped samovars were made at factories in Tula, Moscow, and Rybinsk.