Bidar, central India, 18th century. Of typical bell form tapering to a thin neck with flanged collar and flaring mouth, the body decorated with silver inlays, depicting bands of scrolling flowers above the shoulder and foot, the internal ring with bands of teardrops, the main body and neck with a diaper pattern.

Provenance: French trade.
Condition: Very good condition with some old wear and traces of usage, few surface scratches, little losses to the inlays, the base drilled with a minuscule hole. Some casting flaws, such as pitting to base.

Weight: 1,698 g
Dimensions: Height 17.4 cm

Literature comparison:
Compare with a bell-shaped hookah with large stylized floral motif on a plain ground, illustrated by Zebrowski, Gold, Silver & Bronze from Mughal India, 1997, p. 236. For an example with an allover 'star form' pattern, see Simon Ray, Indian & Islamic Works of Art, November 2010, no. 28, p. 64.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Near identical
Auction: Christie's London, 6 October 2011, lot 426
Price: GBP 4,750 or approx. EUR 7,300 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A bidri hookah base, bidar, central India, 18th century
Expert remark: Compare the near identical form as well as the closely related silver inlays and size (17.2 cm)