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AN INDIAN CAST AND ENGRAVED BRASS HOOKAH BASE IN THE FORM OF A DOUBLE-HEADED PEACOCK

PROBABLY DECCAN, CENTRAL INDIA, 17TH CENTURY

Details

AN INDIAN CAST AND ENGRAVED BRASS HOOKAH BASE IN THE FORM OF A DOUBLE-HEADED PEACOCK
PROBABLY DECCAN, CENTRAL INDIA, 17TH CENTURY
The round-bellied bird with twin curling necks ending in stylised heads, the tail rising and splaying out in a fan, a tubular socket in the back, similar smaller socket in the breast, on two legs on a stepped circular base with beaded lower border, the body engraved with scrolling shell-motifs and feathered designs, the base with a stylised lotus mandorla, traces of surface accretions
10in. (24.5cm.) high

Special notice

VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price and at 15% on the buyer's premium

Lot Essay

This unusual bronze is very similar in form to a number of ewers and other bronze vessels made in the Deccan in the 16th century (Mark Zebrowski, Gold, Silver and Bronze from Mughal India, London, 1997, esp.nos. 91, 92 and 99, pp.97-99). This bronze, whose form is very rare, has an impact on the dating of similarly decorated vessels. Since this is for smoking tobacco it must post-date the introduction of smoking to India in the late 16th century.

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