Samovar

1904-1905

Josef Hoffmann (creator)
Josef Hoszfeld (goldsmith)
Josef Holi (goldsmith)

This samovar, a kind of traditional Russian and Central European kettle, is part of the coffee and tea set that Leopoldine Wittgenstein gave her daughter Margaret in 1905. It was made by Joseph Holi from a sketch by Josef Hoffmann (1870–1956). While conveying an impression of great austerity reminiscent of the work of Christopher Dresser, it has none of the industrial dryness of design. The utmost economy of means is balanced by the volutes of the tripod, the ebony handles and the chequered pattern of colours at their ends.