Huqqa Base
This base for a huqqa, or water pipe, was made in India in the early 1850s. The metal technique by which it was made is called bidri, after the Deccan city of Bidar. This is unique to India and was known by at least the late 16th century, though its origins may be earlier. Objects are cast from a zinc alloy and then inlaid, or overlaid, with silver designs. The finest, and usually earliest, pieces also have small details inlaid with a golden brassy alloy. The decorated object would be covered temporarily with a mud paste which gives the alloy a matt black sheen.
This piece has the typical poppy design of bidri from Bidar and Hyderabad of the mid-19th century, with the difference that the motifs are cut out of silver sheet rather than being inlaid with silver wire. It was acquired by the India Museum in London, probably in 1855, and was transferred to South Kensington in 1879.
This piece has the typical poppy design of bidri from Bidar and Hyderabad of the mid-19th century, with the difference that the motifs are cut out of silver sheet rather than being inlaid with silver wire. It was acquired by the India Museum in London, probably in 1855, and was transferred to South Kensington in 1879.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Inlaid with silver |
| Brief description | Domestic, bidri, Bidar, Hyderabad: c.1855 |
| Physical description | Huqqa base: The shape and pattern are standard for Bidar wares of the period; the decoration is however, cut out of the silver to be reserved against the blackened ground. Bidar: c.1855., |
| Dimensions |
|
| Object history | Acquired by the Indian Museum, London, in 1855; transferred to SKM in 1879. |
| Summary | This base for a huqqa, or water pipe, was made in India in the early 1850s. The metal technique by which it was made is called bidri, after the Deccan city of Bidar. This is unique to India and was known by at least the late 16th century, though its origins may be earlier. Objects are cast from a zinc alloy and then inlaid, or overlaid, with silver designs. The finest, and usually earliest, pieces also have small details inlaid with a golden brassy alloy. The decorated object would be covered temporarily with a mud paste which gives the alloy a matt black sheen. This piece has the typical poppy design of bidri from Bidar and Hyderabad of the mid-19th century, with the difference that the motifs are cut out of silver sheet rather than being inlaid with silver wire. It was acquired by the India Museum in London, probably in 1855, and was transferred to South Kensington in 1879. |
| Bibliographic reference | Bidri ware : inlaid metalwork from India / Susan Stronge. [London]: Victoria & Albert Museum Commissions, 1985 Number: 090520963X :
p. 58 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 02944(IS) |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | June 25, 2009 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
