Artwork Page for Hookah Base

Details / Information for Hookah Base

Hookah Base

c. 1750

Mughal India, possibly Lucknow

Medium
gold on blue glass
Measurements
Overall: 19.8 cm (7 13/16 in.)
Credit Line
Cornelia Blakemore Warner Fund 1961.44
Public Domain
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Location
116 Islamic
Print
?

Did You Know?

The neckpiece was made separately and attached to the blown glass bowl.

Description

Smoking tobacco was introduced to the Mughal court from Iran in the very early 1600s and soon became popular. This base formed part of a hookah, or water pipe, which consisted of a base that held water—sometimes perfumed with herbs or fresh fruit—a detachable bowl to hold tobacco, and a long tube. Early hookahs used existing vessels for bases, including coconut shells. By the late 1600s or early 1700s, richly decorated pieces like this were produced. The striking gold poppies on a cobalt blue background might indicate that opium was used in the hookah.

Hookah Base

c. 1750

Mughal India, possibly Lucknow

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