India, Bidar. The bell-shaped body supported on a broad foot and tapering to a thin neck with a flanged collar and flaring mouth, the body finely and densely inlaid in silver with a floral diaper pattern to the body and base, and bands of floral scroll to the foot and shoulder, all framed by foliate borders.

Provenance: From an old Austrian private collection.
Condition: Very good condition with some old wear and traces of use, few surface scratches, minor losses to the inlays, nicks, scratches, and casting flaws.

Weight: 1.2 kg
Dimensions: Height 16.7 cm

Literature comparison:
Compare 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: Closely related
Auction: Christie's London, 6 October 2011, lot 426
Price: GBP 4,750 or approx. EUR 8,900 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A Bidri hookah base, Bidar, central India, 18th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related form and decoration with similar silver inlay and size (17.2 cm).