Stands approx. 120 mm tall to the tip of the handle, almost 100 mm wide at the bottom rim. Heavily ornamental design, with the centerpiece featuring the hammer and sickle emblem against the background of the Moscow Kremlin Palace of Congresses and spotlight rays rising above it in a crisscross pattern making the Roman numerals XXV. The centerpiece is flanked by an elaborate floral ornament resting on a row of column-like slits in the metal, an unusual and attractive design feature allowing the amber tea to illuminate the sides of the podstakannik. Melchior is a "nickel silver" alloy traditionally used in Russia for the most expensive art castings. Its appearance is so convincingly silver that it is usually described by collectors as "nickel silver". The bottom rim features the maker's logo graphic of a wood grouse, the trademark of the Kolchugino Factory. The letters "МНЦ" stand for "Медь, Никель, Цинк" (copper, nickel, zinc), the components of Melchior. This mark means that there is no lead in the alloy and it is safe for contact with food products. To the right of the maker mark is the hefty price of 4 rubles 60 kopeks, riding high on the hype of the CPSU congress.

In excellent condition. Attractive, even and mild patina adds character. The metal is thicker than usual for podstakanniki, showing no dents or dings commonly encountered in them.

The XXV Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union was held from 25 February to 5 March 1976, nearly 5,000 delegates attending.

Please note: If you try to come up with a replacement glass liner, it should be made of tempered glass even though we urge you not to use this to drink from! We offer this strictly as a historic artifact (and dramatic stage prop for your dining room or study). We provide no warranty of its suitability for actually drinking hot beverages like tea or coffee. All we know is that it should look great sitting on a tray next to your antique family samovar.