Lot 253. A blue and white hookah base, Chenghua six-character mark, Kangxi period (1662-1722). Estimate £2,000 - 3,000 (€2,600 - 3,800). Photo: Bonhams.

Painted in underglaze blue with trailing floral sprays interspersed with later, European-enamelled, green and black florettes, the mouth reduced. 22.7cm (9in) high.

Note: The characteristic form of hookah bases had only appeared in India in the 17th century. There are similar shaped examples in glass, often with gilt décor but more commonly are those made in bidriware, usually inlaid with silver. The Chinese were eager to adopt this form in their porcelain production once the demand for pieces like this was rapidly growing. The Chinese blue and white models then also had a particular influence on the decoration of the Indian bidriware production when these models became fashionable export luxury items on the Indian market. Cf. Zebrowski, Gold, Silver & Bronze from Mughal India, London 1997, pp. 224-236.

Bonhams. AUCTION 23541: ASIAN ART, 10:30 BST - LONDON, KNIGHTSBRIDGE