A NEAR PAIR OF CARVED TURKISH MEERSCHAUM MINIATURE WATERPIPE BASES (NARGILEH OR SHISHA) Eskişehir, North-Western Turkey, dated 1929, made by the master carver Ali Osman Comprising a near pair of decorative Meerschaum (sepiolite) miniature waterpipe bases, each accompanied by a dark burgundy leather hose and narrow, tapering amber mouthpiece, of rounded cylindrical shape with narrow shoulders, resting on a short circular base, with a tubular stem carved with floral motifs and a hose port on the side, surmounted by a lampshade-like circular tray with tassels, and a slender tapering bowl with floral collars, the style and design influenced by European decorative canons featuring vine trellis and bunches of grapes on the body, the base and foot signed and dated Ali Osman Eskişehir Hamam Sokagi no.5 1929, the tallest 20.7cm high.

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