Bidri Huqqa Base from the collection of Hayrat Fine Gems & Arts

Bell-shaped Bidri huqqa base with silver inlay and oxidized finish, showcasing 15th-century Bidar techniques; refined example of courtly elegance and craftsmanship.

Bidri Huqqa Base

Metal Alloy

H- 17 cm

Rising from centuries of courtly indulgence and artisanal innovation, this bell-shaped huqqa base embodies the essence of Bidriware’s refined aesthetic. Its slender neck and fine silver inlay echo the elegance of classic Bidar forms, subtly reimagined through the hands of a skilled craftsman. Rooted in a technique developed under the Bahmani sultans in 15th-century Bidar, the base is cast from a zinc alloy, inlaid with silver, and then darkened through a unique oxidizing process—producing the signature contrast that defines Bidri art. Comparable pieces reside in the collections of the Victoria and Albert Museum (135-1852) and the Horniman Museum and Gardens (0.145).