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 ‘duck’ 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.
Physical description
Container in the form of a duck, probably the base of qalian or water-pipe. Fritware decorated in underglaze blue and black.
Place of Origin
Iran (made)
Date
1635-60 (made)
Artist/maker
Unknown (production)
Materials and Techniques
Fritware with decoration painted under the glaze
Dimensions
Height: 12 cm, Length: 14.6 cm
Historical context note
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.
Descriptive line
Base for a water-pipe in the form of a duck, Iran, 1635-60.
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Yolande Crowe, Persia and China: Safavid Blue and White Ceramics in the Victoria & Albert Museum 1501-1738, Switzerland/London, 2002, cat.no.273[should be 272], p.166
Soustiel, Jean. La céramique islamique. Le guide du connaisseur. Fribourg, Office du Livre, 1985. ISBN 2-8264-0002-9. Pl. 304, p. 275
Lane, Arthur. Later Islamic Pottery. London: Faber and Faber, 1957. 133p., ill. Pages 73, 98-99, plate 77A
Tim Stanley ed., with Mariam Rosser-Owen and Stephen Vernoit, Palace and Mosque: Islamic Art from the Middle East, London, V&A Publications, 2004; pp. 50, 71, plate 57
Exhibition History
The Victoria and Albert Museum: Art and Design For All (Kunst und Ausstellungshalle der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, Bonn 18/11/2011-15/04/2012)
Palace and Mosque: Islamic Art from the Victoria and Albert Museum (The Millennium Galleries, Sheffield 14/01/2006-16/04/2006)
Palace and Mosque: Islamic Art from the Victoria and Albert Museum (Setagaya Art Museum, Tokyo 01/10/2005-04/12/2005)
Palace and Mosque: Islamic Art from the Victoria and Albert Museum (Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth, Texas 03/04/2005-04/09/2005)
Palace and Mosque: Islamic Art from the Victoria and Albert Museum (National Gallery of Art, Washington 18/07/2004-06/02/2005)
Labels and date
PIPE-BASE IN FORM OF A DUCK
White earthenware painted in underglaze blue.
PERSIAN; 17th century [Old label]
Water-pipe Base: Duck
Iran
1650-1700
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.
Fritware painted under the glaze
Museum no. 647-1889 [Jameel Gallery]
Materials
Fritware
Techniques
Painted
Subjects depicted
Bird
Categories
Islam; Ceramics
Collection code
MES
