Hookah Base

Description

This ivory base of a hookah shows incredibly detailed artwork with floral motifs. One can distinguish the carved background to indicate water, while the foreground includes elaborately painted carvings of lotuses, sunflowers, and flowering buds along with leaves. On the top, flying birds and insects can also be found. This is surmounted by a circular band of eight green plants and blooming buds. The stem emerging from the base has detailed band carvings, and in addition a layer depicting sunflowers and lotuses in bloom. This provides a unique example of an object of frequent use that was still beautified and decorated intricately.