Huqqa (water pipe) of emerald-green glass decorated with gold and yellow enamel
Northern India; 1st half of 18th century
H: 20 cm
There is a small group of huqqas made of emerald-green glass with a related decoration. On some, the motif was painted direct on the green glass. On others, it was painted “in reserve,” as on this piece, which means that the gold was largely used as the background for the motifs – poppies and cypresses along with various leaf borders. A few details, such as the ribs or little leaves, were executed in gold or yellow enamel. A special refinement is the use of enamel inside, behind the flower heads.
The huqqa head, the hose with mouthpiece, and the body that went into the base were inserted into the sturdy neck with a collar that made it easy to hold the pipe. The huqqa stood on a ring to provide stability.
Inv. no. 10/2010
Published in:
Bonhams, London, 15/4- 2010, lot 432;
Kjeld von Folsach: Flora islamica: plantemotiver i islamisk kunst, Davids Samling, København 2013, cat.no. 66;
Martin Birk Møller: “Glassmaking” in Khaled Azzam (ed.): Arts and crafts of the Islamic lands: principles, materials, practice, London 2013, pp. 254-257;
Tara Desjardins: Mughal glass: a history of glassmaking in India, New Delhi 2024, cat. 36, p. 115;
