Publication Date
1850
Publication Place
Iran (made) -
Subject
Smoking Accessories
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
Height: 15.5 cm
Library
Victoria and Albert Museum
Library Asset ID
580-1878
Record ID
580-1878
Library Location
Middle East Section
Date
1850
Notes
The shape of this hookah base, could have been hand held or balanced within a support, standing upon the ground. Tobacco was introduced into Persia sometime during the late 16th century, and the earliest smoking devices were carved coconuts; by the 17th century, smoking had already spread across the Safavid Empire, facilitating a host of smoking devices, most of which respected the original shape of the coco de mer. This unique ovoid shape became invariably associated with Persian production. It was common for holy men and sages to smoke tobacco in order to achieve a heightened state of consciousness; the images upon this hookah base may imply its use by such holy men.
Malzemeler ve teknikler
Coco de mer; carved
Fiziksel açıklama
An ovoid shaped hookah base (qalian) carved from a single coco de mer, with six oval medallions each carved with alternating figures and birds amidst floral sprays. Each of the three men represent dervishes; they kneel in plain clothing with a kaskhul (beggarâs bowl) suspended from a tree. A circular opening is carved from the top.
