Floral Carved Marble Stand
Date19th century
PeriodMughal
MediumMarble
DimensionsOverall: 3 1/8 × 12 3/4 × 3 7/8 in. (7.9 × 32.4 × 9.8cm)
ClassificationsStonework
Object number41.48
DescriptionThis carved white marble object is a “henna stone” (sang-e ḥanā in Persian). It was used during the application of henna, a reddish dye frequently used by women to create temporary designs on their palms, feet, and other parts of the body. Required to remain motionless during the intricate application of henna to the soles of her feet, a woman would have rested her heels upon the two grooves of the henna stone. Henna was applied at public bath houses called hammams. Upper class women owned their own henna stones for personal use.On View
On viewCollections
19th century
19th - 20th century
18th - 19th century
c. 1800-1850
20th century