A Bidri silver-inlaid huqqa base, India, Early 18th Century

of bell-shape form with flanged collar, the silver inlay decoration with a detailed naturalistic scene featuring a variety of animals in various activities within a dense vegetal background including two houses and a river running through the middle with fish jumping, boats passing and elephants swiming, between two rows with a curvilinear floral scroll  

In overall good condition, some abrasion to underside of base and interior of spout consistent with age, minor chips with some restoration to external edge of base, the silver inlay bright, as viewed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This Bidri huqqa base is remarkable for the particular style of decoration, which relates to Deccani painting of the late seventeenth and early eighteenth century. In particular the style and details of animals, birds and architecture on the huqqa base relate to a series of Ragamala paintings from Bidar of the first quarter of the eighteenth century (mostly now in the Nelson Atkins Museum, Kansas City, see Zebrowski 1983, nos.199-201, 202-203). They also relate to an important group of early Bidri pieces of the mid-seventeenth century (see Zebrowski 1997, nos.369-372) and to certain Deccani textiles of the mid- to late-seventeenth century (specifically the distinctive ship seen here twice). Zebrowski states that bell-shaped huqqas were first produced around 1730, and the present example is likely to have been among the earliest examples of this type produced, retaining the iconographic style of the previous generation.