Hookah Base
- Culture
- Indian
- Period
- Mughal dynasty, 1526–1858
- Date
- first half 18th century
- Material
- Wheel-cut glass
- Classification
- Glassware, recreational objects
- Collection
- Islamic Art
- Current Location
- On View, Gallery 120
- Dimensions
- 6 3/4 x 5 3/4 in. (17.2 x 14.6 cm)
- Credit Line
- Gift of J. Lionberger Davis, by exchange
- Rights
- Public Domain
- Object Number
- 122:1988
NOTES
The smoking of tobacco with a water pipe, or hookah, was introduced into Mughal India in the early 17th century via the Indian city of Bijapur. A detachable bowl held the charcoal-heated tobacco, and the smoker inhaled the cooled smoke through an attached tube. Globular hookah bases like this one were made of both glass and metal. Glass allowed light to play on the bubbling water inside, creating delightful patterns on the exterior of the vessel.
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