AN INDIAN COPPER HUQQA BASE WITH BLACK LAC INLAY
Possibly Deccan, Central India, 18th century

Of typical bell-like shape, resting on a flat circular base, rising to narrow shoulders and a cylindrical ringed neck with gently everted rim, the exterior finely decorated with overlapping carved decorative bands featuring dense floral shrubs, scrolling vegetal sprays, and friezes with stylised lotus petals, all set against a glossy, vitreous, greyish-black lac-inlaid background, 18.8cm high.