A samovar is a notoriously unwieldy souvenir to bring back from Eastern Europe. Antique samovars can require special documentation; samovars in general are large, heavy, and awkward. That's why this samovar was purchased in the U.S. from an eBay seller in Sofia, Bulgaria.
The samovar arrived several weeks after purchase, packed in a flimsy box that once held beer. A few pieces of newspaper were crumpled around it for cushion - hardly adequate for and overseas trip. Fortunately, despite a bent handle and a few loose pieces, the samovar was intact.
Obviously second-hand, it appeared as though it had been sitting in someone's dacha for a couple of decades. A paste of baking soda and warm water effectively shined it up, and its mark - reading "Tula" - was more visible in its finish after the polish. A vinegar solution disinfected and cleaned the interior, though it will need to be rinsed well and dried thoroughly before use.
As with most samovars I have encountered, the spicket is fussy and drips a little, no matter how it's turned. However, this circa 1980 samovar will replace a faulty electric kettle. Though the shipping cost more than the device itself, and the samovar's life will end a world away (eventually as a planter or a simple conversation piece), it will warm water for tea through many winters still to come. And now I won't have to figure out how to pack a samovar in my carry-on luggage the next time I'm in the market for an exotic souvenir.
Other souvenirs that are known for being difficult to transport while traveling include balalaikas, lomonosov porcelain, gzhel ceramics, and glass bottles of liquor.
- Packing Souvenirs from Eastern Europe
- How to Pack Glass Bottles in Luggage
- Purchasing Antiques in Russia
Samovar Photo Credit: iStockphoto/Vaide Dambrauskaite