Author
Unknown
Publication Date
1635
Publication Place
Iran (made) -
Subject
Bird
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
Height: 12cm, Length: 14.6cm
Library
Victoria and Albert Museum
Library Asset ID
647-1889
Record ID
647-1889
Library Location
Middle East Section
Date
1635
Notes
This duck-shaped vessel seems to have been designed as a hookah base. The hookah was a water pipe used for the consumption of tobacco. The smoke from the burning herb was drawn down a pipe and through water to cool it and filter it. It was then drawn up another pipe to the mouthpiece. The âduckâ held the water, and the holes in its back and neck accommodated the two pipes. The whole vessel is only 11.7 centimetres high and therefore rather smaller than most examples. This may indicate that it was intended for private use, perhaps by a woman. If so, the high quality of the vessel shows that the intended market for such hookah bases was women of some social standing. It has been suggested that Chinese porcelain incense burners in the shape of a goose inspired the form of this vessel, and the blue-and-white decoration is certainly an imitation of Chinese wares.
Tarihsel bağlam
As tobacco-smoking grew popular in the 17th century, Iranian potters produced water-pipe bases in many different forms. This small example may have been inspired by Chinese porcelain incense burners in the shape of a goose.
Malzemeler ve teknikler
Fritware with decoration painted under the glaze Fritware Painted
Fiziksel açıklama
Container in the form of a duck, probably the base of qalian or water-pipe. Fritware decorated in underglaze blue and black.
Üslup
Safavid
