Antique Indian miniature silver samovar teapot

This Indian teapot has been crafted from silver. The teapot’s body is gadrooned and covered with intricate decorative designs. These include botehs, multi-lobed forms, scrolling vines and stylised vegetal motifs. The teapot stands on three shaped legs, which are similarly decorated. Its body is fitted with a heavily-decorated handle and spout, which is shaped like a bird’s head. The hinged lid is gadrooned and ornamented with leafy vines, and it features a removable top, crowned by a pointed finial.

Known as a samovar, this item is designed to heat the water used to make tea. Underneath the teapot's lid, there is a central column, which is where the charcoal and hot coals are placed. This then heats the water, which fills the space around the column. Tea leaves and spices are left to infuse the water and once the tea is ready it is poured out of the spout.