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AN INDIAN SILVER HOOKAH WITH ELEPHANT BASE INDIA, LATE 19TH TO EARLY 20TH CENTURY
Currency:USD
Category:Collectibles
Start Price:2,000.00 USD
Estimated At:3,000.00 - 4,000.00 USD
CURRENT BID
0.00USD+ applicable fees & taxes.
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Live Online Auction Starts In
2025 Aug 17 @ 11:00 (UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT)
A finely crafted Indian silver hookah, richly decorated and supported on an ornate elephant base made of high-grade silver (800–900 standard, as common in Indian silverwork), chased and engraved.The domed base is cast with scrolling floral and foliate patterns, surmounted by a detailed figure of a caparisoned elephant with raised trunk. From the elephant’s back rises the main hookah stem, elaborately chased with floral and foliate motifs, leading to a lidded cup-shaped top with similarly worked decoration. Multiple hanging chains with small silver bells and beads drape from the upper section, adding movement and charm. A long, elegantly twisted and engraved pipe extends from the elephant’s back, completing the piece.This piece exemplifies the opulent craftsmanship of late colonial-era India, blending Mughal and Hindu decorative elements. Originally functional as a smoking device, it may today serve as a purely decorative object, admired for its craftsmanship, symbolism, and exotic appeal.Weight: 55 oz., (1560 g.)Please make all inquiries before bidding.All lots are sold "as-is", refer to our T&C.Helios Auctions does not ship in-house. A list of recommended shippers will be provided.
H: 22 in., (56 cm.)
The piece hookah is complete and structurally intact, including the base, elephant figure, central stem, decorative chains, and long mouthpiece.
Auction Location:
1050 Second Avenue, Gallery # 52, New York, New York, 10022, United States
Previewing Details:
Monday - Friday from 11 AM until 4 PM, Saturday & Sunday by appointment.
Buyer's Premiums:
| From (Incl.) | To (Excl.) | Premium |
| 0.00 |
Infinite |
18% |
Additional Fees:
Shipping Details:
No Info Available
Payment Details:
No Info Available
Accepted Payment Methods:
- VISA
- Master Card
- AMEX
- Discover
- Money Order/Bank Draft
- Check/Cheque
- PayPal
- Wire Transfer
- Cash
- Zelle
1. TERMS & CONDITIONS OF SALE. By bidding at the HELIOS auction, whether in person or by agent, absentee bid, telephone bid, via the internet, or other means, the Bidder agrees to be bound by the following terms and conditions of sale. Any notices, published, posted, or oral, before or during the sale, are part of our terms and conditions of the sale agreement. Acceptance of a bidder card or a bidder number constitutes acceptance of these terms and conditions of sale. HELIOS IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ERRORS OF THE BIDDER INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE BIDDER BIDDING ON THE WRONG LOT.
2. BUYER'S PREMIUM. All bid prices/Hammer prices will be subject to a 28% buyer's premium payable by the purchaser. The buyer's premium will be 28% provided the payment is made by cash, money order, cashier's check, wire transfer, or approved personal check. There is a 3.5% surcharge added to the total invoice amount for all payments made by credit cards, and 4% for all PayPal payments, including Buyer's premium and any other charges that will be added to the invoice. The Buyer's premium will be added to each Hammer price and the two together equal the total purchase price. The buyer's premium for lots purchased through a third-party auction site/platform/portal may differ and will be indicated on such site/platform/portal directly.
3. SALES TAX. For purchases picked up or delivered in New York State, unless exempted by the law, the purchaser will be required to pay the combined New York State and local sales tax, any applicable compensating use tax of another state, and if applicable, any federal luxury or other tax, on the total purchase price including buyer's premium. HELIOS is required by law to collect and remit the appropriate sales tax in effect in New York State unless appropriate documentation of exemption is provided. Buyers claiming exemption from sales tax must have the appropriate documentation on file with HELIOS before the release of the property. If the property is delivered to a state where HELIOS is not required to collect sales tax, it is the responsibility of the purchaser to self-assess any sales or use tax and remit it to taxing authorities in that state. HELIOS is not required to collect sales tax for property delivered to the purchaser outside of the United States.
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6. DEFAULT AND INTEREST. Payment of the Total Amount Due is due upon receipt of the buyer's invoice. If the amount of the buyer's invoice is not paid in full within 10 days of the auction, HELIOS has the right and will charge the purchaser's credit card on file for the total invoice amount. In addition to other remedies available to us by law, interest will be charged on all unpaid balances at 12% per annum, or the highest allowable rate under New York law, beginning the 10th day after the date of purchase/auction. HELIOS shall hold any money deposited in partial payment on account of any liability of the defaulted item and will apply it at the sole discretion of HELIOS to the outstanding debt. HELIOS may, in its sole discretion, apply any proceeds of sale then due or thereafter becoming due to the purchaser from us, or any payment made by the purchaser to us, whether or not intended to reduce the purchaser's obligations concerning the unpaid lot or lots, to the deficiency and any other amounts due to us. The purchaser acknowledges that should the purchaser not comply with any of the terms and conditions of sale, including payment of the full amount indicated on the buyer's invoice, the damages incurred by HELIOS include, without limitation, consignor commission, loss of use of money for an indefinite period, costs to relist the item and potential depreciation of the item, and loss arising on the resale of the lot, whether such damages are now known or may become known in the future. Accordingly, in the event the purchaser fails to pay the full amount indicated on the buyer's invoice within 45 days after the auction, the purchaser shall be immediately liable for liquidated damages in an amount equal to 30% of the amount on the buyer's invoice. Liquidated damages are in addition to the total amount on the buyer's invoice and any applicable interest. Subject to fulfillment of all of the conditions set forth herein, on the fall of the auctioneer's hammer, title to the offered lot will pass to the highest bidder acknowledged by the auctioneer, and such bidder thereupon (a) assumes full risk and responsibility therefore (including, without limitation, liability for loss, destruction, or damage) and (b) will immediately pay the full purchase price or such part as we may require.
7. WITHDRAWAL. HELIOS reserves the right to withdraw from the auction, rearrange, separate, or exclude any property before or during the sale without notice and shall have no liability whatsoever for such actions.
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12. ABSENTEE, TELEPHONE, AND ONLINE BIDDING. As a service, HELIOS may accept bids on behalf of potential bidders at HELIOS' own discretion by telephone or absentee bid using the Bid Form provided by HELIOS. The Bid Form must be received and credit approved in advance of the sale date. It is the Bidder's responsibility to establish credit before bidding, otherwise, HELIOS will accept a 15% deposit in the amount of the total bids submitted. Deposits will be returned within ten (10) business days after the sale if bids were not successful. The Bid Form can be downloaded from our website, found in the catalog, or sent to you upon request. In addition, online bidding is available through third-party platforms (additional fees may apply). Purchasers acknowledge that by bidding absentee via mail, e-mail, telephone, facsimile, through internet providers, or any other absentee means (i.e., not in-person bidding), no fiduciary duty exists between the bidder and HELIOS. Purchaser acknowledges that HELIOS has a fiduciary duty to the sellers and not to the bidders or purchasers. Purchaser acknowledges that HELIOS owes no duty to disclose the ownership of any item being auctioned. Any absentee bid is executed as if the bidder was actually present and bidding themselves. HELIOS will attempt to execute bids in a manner such that the bids will prevail at the lowest bid possible. HELIOS assumes no responsibility for failure to execute bids submitted via telephone, facsimile, or website/online bids for any reason whatsoever, or for failure to execute bids such that the bids do not prevail at the lowest bid possible. BY PARTICIPATING IN TELEPHONE BIDDING, THE BIDDER AND PURCHASER UNDERSTAND, ACKNOWLEDGE, AND CONSENT TO THE TELEPHONE CONVERSATION BEING RECORDED. "Safety Bids": The Telephone Bidder should be aware that there is the risk of HELIOS not being able to reach the Telephone Bidder. Therefore, the Telephone Bidder should consider allowing his or her phone representative to execute bidding on his or her behalf. At the time of arranging for the phone bids, the Telephone Bidder should give the maximum amounts he or she is willing to bid on each lot ("Safely Bid") in the event HELIOS is unable to reach the Telephone Bidder. Online bidding is available through third-party platforms. Please be advised that third-party platforms charge an additional buyer's premium above and beyond the premium charged by HELIOS.
13. FINANCIAL INTEREST IN PROPERTY. Purchaser acknowledges that HELIOS has a financial interest in all items offered for sale since it is paid a seller's commission and buyer's premium. Additionally, the Purchaser acknowledges that a conflict of interest may exist because HELIOS, its officers or employees, or an entity owned by one or more of them, may have a financial interest in an item offered for sale beyond the seller's commission and buyer's premium, which may include an ownership interest or a guaranteed amount offered by HELIOS to a consignor of an item for sale. The items offered for sale by HELIOS are offered either as agents for consignors or as owners. HELIOS buys items on the open market for sale through an auction or may offer a guarantee to a consignor. In either event, HELIOS can have an ownership or other financial interest in the item(s) being auctioned. Such interest in the item(s) being auctioned may not be disclosed. If HELIOS has an interest in an offered lot and the proceeds therefrom, other than our commission, HELIOS may bid on the offered lot to protect such interest and such bidding shall not be prohibited.
14. ENDANGERED OR PROTECTED SPECIES OR WILDLIFE. Property made of or incorporating endangered or protected species or wildlife may have import and/or export restrictions established by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITIES). The property, including, but not limited to, items made of or incorporating plant or animal materials such as coral, crocodile, ivory, whalebone, and tortoiseshell, may require a license or certificate prior to exportation and/or importation. Such items are not available to ship internationally and, in some cases, domestically. Additionally, these items may be subject to confiscation by state or federal officials if the proper documentation authorizing their sale is not produced. By placing a bid, the bidder acknowledges that he is aware of the restriction and takes responsibility for obtaining and paying for any license or permits relevant to the delivery of the item(s). HELIOS is not responsible and would not be liable for the inability to ship the purchased items or if such item(s) is (are) confiscated by state or federal officials before their shipment or transport to the successful bidder. In any event, the bidder is responsible for making a timely payment for the total purchase price of the lot. The Bidder should be familiar with relevant customs regulations before bidding. The Bidder should inquire with relevant government wildlife import and export requirements before placing a bid.
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20. BINDING CONTRACT EFFECT, MODIFICATIONS, AND SEVERABILITY. The items offered for sale by HELIOS are offered either as agents for consignors or by HELIOS as owners. Therefore, the contract for the sale of the items is made between the consignor of the property and the buyer. In cases where HELIOS owns the property, the contract for sale is made between HELIOS and the buyer. The terms and conditions of sale shall bind the successors and assigns of all bidders and purchasers and inure to the benefit of HELIOS' successors and assigns. No waiver, amendment, or modification of the terms hereof (other than posted notices or oral announcements during the sale) shall bind HELIOS unless specifically stated in writing and signed by HELIOS. If any part of these terms and conditions of sale is for any reason invalid or unenforceable, such portion shall be stricken and the rest of the terms and conditions of sale shall remain valid and enforceable.
* - This lot contains or is made of ivory, and is subject to CITES, Federal, and State regulations when shipping interstate and/or exporting. See paragraphs 14 and 15 of the Terms and Conditions of Sale. Elephant Ivory Statement and Notice: Lots containing elephant ivory are offered for sale online only from our Florida representative's office. These lots are not sold in New York State and are not available for purchase, inspection, or pick up at our New York office. Helios is committed to complying with all Federal and State laws and regulations. At Helios, it is our priority to make sure that all items offered for sale at the auction will comply with current laws and regulations. Please note: Certain states might have restrictive ivory laws. We cannot and will not ship items containing elephant ivory to California, New York, and New Jersey. Please make sure to check your local laws and regulations before bidding on these items. In addition, before shipping or otherwise taking possession of an elephant ivory-mounted item you must sign and deliver to us a waiver of all risks, responsibilities, potential loss of value, or any other loss, damage, or liability that might arise upon your acceptance of the item.