Huqqa snake
Category
Textiles
Date
1730 - 1770
Materials
Bamboo, silk, silver, gilt and palm or rush fibre
Measurements
20 mm (Dia)
Order this imageCollection
Powis Castle and Garden, Powys
NT 1180739.14
Summary
Huqqa snake - Part of a collection of huqqa snakes and pipes. A large huqqa snake covered in loops of fibre (palm or rush) in overlapping rows and bound with gilt thread; both ends of the snake decorated with crosses in pale orange and blue silk and with silver sequins; a metal mouth piece attached to one end of the snake. Mughal style, mid 18th century. See POW.CLIVE.T.8.2 (Snake cover) and POW.CLIVE.T.9.2 (mat) both with similar decoration. See 'Treasures from India' catalogue pg.105.
Provenance
Belonged to Robert Clive. Recorded in 'Inventory of Indian Curiosities delivered 17 March 1775' as 'Hookah Snake, Rush and Gold Wire'. Accepted by HM Treasury on 21st March, 1963 in lieu of tax and conveyed to National Trust ownership on 29th November 1963.