Podstakannik

A Podstakannik (Russian подстаканник; под pod - "under"; стакан, Stakan - "glass", literally "thing or something under the glass ") is the traditional Russian glass holder with handle, with the hot tea glasses safely in hand can be kept.

Production

Most Russian Podstakanniki be manufactured in the city Kolchugino in Vladimir Oblast, located on the railway line between Moscow Belkowo - Ivanovo ( route 172 km from Moscow). The Moscow merchant Alexander Grigoryevich Kolchugin (1839-1899) founded Kolchugino 1871 as a housing estate next to his factory to products made ​​of copper, later also for precious metals and alloys. Until today, the works Koltschugzmetmet and Koltschug Mizar - AG produce based on the centuries old tradition of eating utensils and cutlery as well as the Podstakanniki.

In the Soviet Union common Podstakanniki were made ​​from inexpensive nickel - silver or copper-nickel alloys. More expensive glass holder, which were intended mainly for export were, silver or gold plated.

Today the ordinary Podstakanniki of a nickel- copper -zinc alloy are produced, which is also known as German silver or silver hotel. This stands out because of the high nickel content by particular hardness and corrosion resistance. More expensive glass holders get a decorative coatings of silver or gold. Podstakanniki of pure silver are indeed made ​​occasionally, due to the good thermal conductivity, however, they are not very practical. In the artist's town Mstjora in Vladimir Oblast, 250 km northeast of Moscow, today also precious engraved glass holders are manufactured.

Design

The design of the glass holder itself has for over 100 years, little changed since the shape is determined by the function: The tea drinkers should be able to keep the hot glass of tea by the handle of the glass holder safely in your hand and it should rest securely in moving trains on the table. remain

In contrast, changed the contemporary designs, which are adorned with the Podstakanniki. Whole glass holder series to memorials, former Soviet hero cities, contemporary architecture and prominent personalities thereby give Podstakanniki collectors a good overview of the Russian and Soviet history.

At the cheaper glass holders, the motifs are marked by a tool in the alloy, the more expensive Podstakanniki lasered with a laser engraved in the gold or silver coating.