Base of a Hukkah

This bell shaped base for a hukkah, a smoking pipe, is made of an alloy of zinc, copper, tin or lead and blackened by dipping in a solution of copper sulphate. The surface of the base is adorned with floral motifs comprising pieces of silver sheet embedded into the surface of the object by chasing and hammering as in bidari techniques.
Known as bidriware from the name of the town Bidar in the Deccan, the craft attained superlative quality as it was patronized by the local rulers, chiefs and aristocrats of the region. Besides hukkah bases, exquisitely adorned boxes, spittoons (ugaldans), wash basins (sailabchis), betel boxes (pandans), vases and euvers were produced by the craftsmen of the region. Today Hyderabad is the main centre of production of bidriware.