Persian silver hookah

23 avril 2024

In France we acquired this miniature water pipe in silver. It shows a water reservoir with six panels connected to two stems, the central stem ends in a pipe bowl, the stem that runs diagonally is the stem to inhale the smoke. Everything about this mini shisha is characteristic of Persia, where they call it a qualian. The decoration shows panels in a beautiful rhythm. Detailed flowers with birds can be seen all around, alternating with a geometric motif against a worked background. This background against which the decoration stands out was obtained by hammering the silver with a mini hollow pipe. With a height of less than twelve centimeters, it is a small but fine object. And it rarely happens: the same week we acquired the object, it was photographed, described and placed in the permanent display in the museum between its larger brothers.

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