of bell shaped form with slightly flaring ridged neck, decorated with neo-classical style motifs including intersecting bands of plain and feathered leaves to base, shoulder and neck, repetitive pattern of swags framing European coats-of-arms to body
17.6 cm. high

Footnotes

The motifs on the huqqa base illustrate a European influence on the Indian decorative vocabulary in the last quarter of the 18th Century. A number of Europeans are known to be living in the sub-continent at this time and were enthusiastically embracing local customs and pastimes such as smoking huqqas. Neo-classical motifs from both French and English sources began to be adapted by Indian craftsmen with great dexterity and this huqqa base serves as a good example. For an almost identical huqqa base, see M. Zebrowski, Gold, Silver and Bronze from Mughal India, London, 1997, pl. 401.

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- Islamic and Indian Art
- Modern & Contemporary South Asian Art

A silver-inlaid alloy bidri Huqqa Base Deccan, Bidar, late 18th Century

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Oliver White