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Hookah base (Qalian)

Title	Hookah base (Qalian)
Publication Date:	1750
Publication Place	Iran (made) -
Subject	Smoking Accessories
Type	Other
Language	Undetermined
Digital	Yes
Manuscript	No
Physical Dimensions	Height: 11.5 cm
Library:	Victoria and Albert Museum
Library Asset ID	733-1876
Record ID	733-1876
Library Location	Middle East Section
Date	1750
Notes	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. Most portable hookah bases in both Iran and India during this period were made from coco de mer. The small size and light weight would have facilitated its transportability, allowing for the patron to easily hold the hookah in one hand. The European carved figures may reflect its owner or patron; since the early 17th century, many European voyagers travelled throughout Persia, some returning and even staying for years. The dress of the men on this hookah base suggests a dating of the second half of the 18th century.
Malzemeler ve teknikler	Coco de mer; carved
Fiziksel açıklama	Carved coco de mer hookah base, with four oval medallions, each with a different standing man dressed in European costume and hat, holding a wine cup or perched bird; smaller circular medallions of a lion attacking an antelope alternate in between each figure. Two fine horizontal bands of running floral scrolls decorate the top and bottom of the hookah, with the base carved with vertical panels. A small hole pierces the top and side of the base.

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Victoria and Albert Museum

Hookah base (Qalian)

Publication Date 1750

Publication Place Iran (made) -

Subject Smoking Accessories

Type Other

Language Undetermined

Digital Yes

Manuscript No

Physical Dimensions Height: 11.5 cm

Library Victoria and Albert Museum

Library Asset ID 733-1876

Record ID 733-1876

Library Location Middle East Section

Date 1750

Notes 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. Most portable hookah bases in both Iran and India during this period were made from coco de mer. The small size and light weight would have facilitated its transportability, allowing for the patron to easily hold the hookah in one hand. The European carved figures may reflect its owner or patron; since the early 17th century, many European voyagers travelled throughout Persia, some returning and even staying for years. The dress of the men on this hookah base suggests a dating of the second half of the 18th century.

Malzemeler ve teknikler Coco de mer; carved

Fiziksel açıklama Carved coco de mer hookah base, with four oval medallions, each with a different standing man dressed in European costume and hat, holding a wine cup or perched bird; smaller circular medallions of a lion attacking an antelope alternate in between each figure. Two fine horizontal bands of running floral scrolls decorate the top and bottom of the hookah, with the base carved with vertical panels. A small hole pierces the top and side of the base.