A QAJAR TURQUOISE-INLAID COPPER QALYAN CUP
Iran, late 19th century

The qalyan cup of typical cylindrical shape, with a wide everted circular rim, encrusted with turquoise beads and red paste, resting on a thin ringed turquoise-encrusted shaft, attached to a flared carved wooden base, the top of the qalyan cup surmounted by a pierced silver brazier holder, decorated with stellar and vegetal motifs, each side embellished with long silver strings ending in drop-shaped tassels, 22cm high.