Fraud Blocker Skip to main content

Shisha Collection

"Exploring the Rich History and Cultural Significance of Shisha" Shisha, also known as nargile or hookah

Background imageShisha Collection: Algeria - Woman smoking a nargile pipe

Algeria - Woman smoking a nargile pipe
Algeria - woman smoking a nargile (Hookah Pipe)

Background imageShisha Collection: In the Harem (colour photogravure)

In the Harem (colour photogravure)
3657076 In the Harem (colour photogravure) by Bredt, Max Ferdinand (1868-1921); Private Collection; (add.info.: In the Harem)

Background imageShisha Collection: Shisha Pipes, Khan el-Khalili bazaar (Souk), Cairo, Egypt

Shisha Pipes, Khan el-Khalili bazaar (Souk), Cairo, Egypt

Background imageShisha Collection: A Bulgarian soldier smoking a Hookah in the 19th century, from El Mundo en la Mano pub. 1875

A Bulgarian soldier smoking a Hookah in the 19th century, from El Mundo en la Mano pub. 1875
5242567 A Bulgarian soldier smoking a Hookah in the 19th century, from El Mundo en la Mano pub. 1875.

Background imageShisha Collection: Portrait of a young Egyptian woman - Photograph second half of the 19th century

Portrait of a young Egyptian woman - Photograph second half of the 19th century
CSO4984605 Portrait of a young Egyptian woman - Photograph second half of the 19th century -; (add.info.: Portrait of a young Egyptian woman - Photograph second half of the 19th century)

Background imageShisha Collection: Portraits of women from Sudan - Photograph second half of the 19th century

Portraits of women from Sudan - Photograph second half of the 19th century
CSO4984578 Portraits of women from Sudan - Photograph second half of the 19th century -; (add.info.: Portraits of women from Sudan - Photograph second half of the 19th century -); Photo © DDF

Background imageShisha Collection: Princess and attendant in trompe l'oeil window, c.1765 (opaque w/c and gold on paper)

Princess and attendant in trompe l'oeil window, c.1765 (opaque w/c and gold on paper)
XOS5874007 Princess and attendant in trompe l'oeil window, c.1765 (opaque w/c and gold on paper) by Khan, Aqil (active mid-1700s); 12.5x7.8 cm; Cleveland Museum of Art, OH

Background imageShisha Collection: The outdoor banquet, curtain Russian games, detail of the tent and characters

The outdoor banquet, curtain Russian games, detail of the tent and characters
JEB4881787 The outdoor banquet, curtain Russian games, detail of the tent and characters. Tapestry by Jean-Baptiste Le Prince (Jean Baptiste Leprince)

Background imageShisha Collection: Egypt, Cairo: Cook cruise, Nile side, sweepers sitting on the sidewalk smoke the shisha, 1900

Egypt, Cairo: Cook cruise, Nile side, sweepers sitting on the sidewalk smoke the shisha, 1900
LUX4778853 Egypt, Cairo: Cook cruise, Nile side, sweepers sitting on the sidewalk smoke the shisha, 1900; (add.info.: Egypt, Cairo: Cook cruise, Nile side)

Background imageShisha Collection: France, Ile-de-France, Paris (75): genre scene, three women in odalisque smoking the narguile, 1860

France, Ile-de-France, Paris (75): genre scene, three women in odalisque smoking the narguile, 1860
LUX4816773 France, Ile-de-France, Paris (75): genre scene, three women in odalisque smoking the narguile, 1860; (add.info.: France, Ile-de-France, Paris (75): genre scene

Background imageShisha Collection: Greece, Crete: Three French soldiers of the 122nd century in the yard of their house smoke

Greece, Crete: Three French soldiers of the 122nd century in the yard of their house smoke the narguile, 1908
LUX4805563 Greece, Crete: Three French soldiers of the 122nd century in the yard of their house smoke the narguile, 1908; (add.info.: Greece)

Background imageShisha Collection: Portrait of a young egyptian girl reclining in a chair. She is wearing ethnic dress

Portrait of a young egyptian girl reclining in a chair. She is wearing ethnic dress
3572310 Portrait of a young egyptian girl reclining in a chair. She is wearing ethnic dress and is posing in the studio smoking the narghile

Background imageShisha Collection: Persian Lady - Persian noble woman in jeweled turban, fur-trimmed jacket, tunic and pantaloons

Persian Lady - Persian noble woman in jeweled turban, fur-trimmed jacket, tunic and pantaloons, smoking a hookah pipe
FLO4723873 Persian Lady - Persian noble woman in jeweled turban, fur-trimmed jacket, tunic and pantaloons, smoking a hookah pipe

Background imageShisha Collection: Album 'Meine mittelmeer-reise 1910': Interior of the Cafe Maure in Tunis with man smoking the shisha

Album "Meine mittelmeer-reise 1910": Interior of the Cafe Maure in Tunis with man smoking the shisha
3562337 Album "Meine mittelmeer-reise 1910": Interior of the Cafe Maure in Tunis with man smoking the shisha (narghile), 1910 (print on double-weight paper); (add.info.: Tunis, Cafe Maure)

Background imageShisha Collection: Greece, Crete: 2 French soldiers smoke the narguile and a third drink a glass of wine

Greece, Crete: 2 French soldiers smoke the narguile and a third drink a glass of wine, 1905 - number on cap: 122nd
LUX4770682 Greece, Crete: 2 French soldiers smoke the narguile and a third drink a glass of wine, 1905 - number on cap: 122nd; (add.info.: Greece)

Background imageShisha Collection: Indian Rajah - Indian rajah in bejeweled robes and hat, smoking a hookah pipe

Indian Rajah - Indian rajah in bejeweled robes and hat, smoking a hookah pipe
FLO4723667 Indian Rajah - Indian rajah in bejeweled robes and hat, smoking a hookah pipe and holding a peacock feather fan - Handcoloured woodcut from " Moeurs

Background imageShisha Collection: An Indian woman at a gala seated on a rich carpet with containers of betelnut and perfume

An Indian woman at a gala seated on a rich carpet with containers of betelnut and perfume
FLO4623936 An Indian woman at a gala seated on a rich carpet with containers of betelnut and perfume, attended by an ayah or servants with punya (fan), pawn and snake hookah pipe

Background imageShisha Collection: Fath Ali Shah, second Qajar (Qadjar) emperor or Shah of Iran (1772-1832)

Fath Ali Shah, second Qajar (Qadjar) emperor or Shah of Iran (1772-1832). Illustration from Guillaume Antoine Olivier
FLO4723035 Fath Ali Shah, second Qajar (Qadjar) emperor or Shah of Iran (1772-1832). Illustration from Guillaume Antoine Olivier (1756-1814) Travels in the Ottoman Empire, Egypt and Persia, 1801

Background imageShisha Collection: Second Anglo-Afghan War (1878-1880) (wood engraving)

Second Anglo-Afghan War (1878-1880) (wood engraving)
530483 Second Anglo-Afghan War (1878-1880) (wood engraving); (add.info.: Yakub (Yakoob) Khan, ruler of Afghanistan, at a review at Gundamuck, 30 May 1879

Background imageShisha Collection: Egypt, Cairo: Chechia traders in front of their shops, smoking narguile, 1892

Egypt, Cairo: Chechia traders in front of their shops, smoking narguile, 1892
LUX4801154 Egypt, Cairo: Chechia traders in front of their shops, smoking narguile, 1892; (add.info.: Egypt, Cairo: Chechia traders in front of their shops, smoking narguile)

Background imageShisha Collection: Hoqq-burdar or pipe bearer, with hookah tobacco pipe and Persian carpet

Hoqq-burdar or pipe bearer, with hookah tobacco pipe and Persian carpet. Handcoloured copperplate engraving by an
FLO4565553 Hoqq-burdar or pipe bearer, with hookah tobacco pipe and Persian carpet. Handcoloured copperplate engraving by an unknown artist from " Asiatic Costumes," Ackermann, London

Background imageShisha Collection: A Bulgarian Soldier Smoking A Hookah In The 19Th Century. From El Mundo En La Mano Published 1875

A Bulgarian Soldier Smoking A Hookah In The 19Th Century. From El Mundo En La Mano Published 1875 ©UIG/Leemage
UIG5420626 A Bulgarian Soldier Smoking A Hookah In The 19Th Century. From El Mundo En La Mano Published 1875 ©UIG/Leemage.

Background imageShisha Collection: Greece, Crete: Oriental life scene, a European with mustache smokes the narguile in the shade of

Greece, Crete: Oriental life scene, a European with mustache smokes the narguile in the shade of an olive tree, 1908
LUX4764543 Greece, Crete: Oriental life scene, a European with mustache smokes the narguile in the shade of an olive tree, 1908; (add.info.: Greece, Crete: Oriental life scene)

Background imageShisha Collection: Tunisia, La Goulette: Salon arabizing of an officer in garrison

Tunisia, La Goulette: Salon arabizing of an officer in garrison. An officer's wife in the middle of hangings
LUX4766267 Tunisia, La Goulette: Salon arabizing of an officer in garrison. An officer's wife in the middle of hangings and hookles

Background imageShisha Collection: Sultan and Musicians, c. 1650 (opaque w/c and gold on paper)

Sultan and Musicians, c. 1650 (opaque w/c and gold on paper)
XOS5884675 Sultan and Musicians, c. 1650 (opaque w/c and gold on paper) by South Indian School, (17th century); 16.9x20.4 cm; Cleveland Museum of Art, OH, USA; (add.info.: Southern India)

Background imageShisha Collection: Miniature Painting on Paper Lady Enjoying Hookah

Miniature Painting on Paper Lady Enjoying Hookah
3609943 Miniature Painting on Paper Lady Enjoying Hookah by Indian School; Private Collection; Dinodia

Background imageShisha Collection: Lady Enjoying Hookah and Drink Miniature Painting on Paper

Lady Enjoying Hookah and Drink Miniature Painting on Paper
3609946 Lady Enjoying Hookah and Drink Miniature Painting on Paper by Indian School; Private Collection; Dinodia

Background imageShisha Collection: Egyptian Woman in a Harem in Cairo, illustration from The Valley of the Nile engraved by Bureau, pub

Egyptian Woman in a Harem in Cairo, illustration from The Valley of the Nile engraved by Bureau, pub
STC83481 Egyptian Woman in a Harem in Cairo, illustration from The Valley of the Nile engraved by Bureau, pub. by Lemercier, 1848 (litho) by Prisse d'Avennes

Background imageShisha Collection: Tunisia, Sousse, Cae in Madina

Tunisia, Sousse, Cae in Madina

Background imageShisha Collection: Card Players, Piraeus, Greece

Card Players, Piraeus, Greece
A group of card players sat in a cafe in Piraeus, Greece. One of them holds a traditional shisha pipe. Piraeus is a port city in the region of Attica. Date: 1885

Background imageShisha Collection: Arab Cafe in Cairo, Egypt, 1906

Arab Cafe in Cairo, Egypt, 1906
ELD4831082 Arab Cafe in Cairo, Egypt, 1906 by Unknown photographer, (20th century); (add.info.: Arab Cafe in Cairo, Egypt, 1906); Photo © The Holbarn Archive

Background imageShisha Collection: Damascus, Syria in 1894. Narguila smokers

Damascus, Syria in 1894. Narguila smokers
3789424 Damascus, Syria in 1894. Narguila smokers; (add.info.: Narguila smokers in Damascus, Syria in 1894. Jerusalem-Damas ch Lallemand Paris Ancienne Maison Quantin 1894); Lebrecht History

Background imageShisha Collection: Lady on a terrace with a hookah, c. 1770 (gouache and gold on paper)

Lady on a terrace with a hookah, c. 1770 (gouache and gold on paper)
1071157 Lady on a terrace with a hookah, c.1770 (gouache and gold on paper) by Indian School, (17th century); 32.2276x24.4475x2.54 cm; Dallas Museum of Art, Texas

Background imageShisha Collection: A seated portrait of Ram Chandra Lahiri, Dewan of Cooch Bewar (1829 - 1842, c)

A seated portrait of Ram Chandra Lahiri, Dewan of Cooch Bewar (1829 - 1842, c)
7370330 A seated portrait of Ram Chandra Lahiri, Dewan of Cooch Bewar (1829 - 1842, c. 1840 (opaque pigments heightened with gold on paper)

Background imageShisha Collection: Walter Crane (1845-1915)

Walter Crane (1845-1915)
864108 Walter Crane (1845-1915) by Crane, Walter (1845-1915); (add.info.: Old King Cole was a merry old soul/ And a merry old soul was he./He called for his pipe)

Background imageShisha Collection: Hookah base, 17th century (zinc alloy 'bidri ware' inlaid with gold)

Hookah base, 17th century (zinc alloy "bidri ware" inlaid with gold)
1071563 Hookah base, 17th century (zinc alloy "bidri ware" inlaid with gold) by Indian School, (17th century); 16.5100330201x18.4150368301x18.4150368301 cm; Dallas Museum of Art, Texas

Background imageShisha Collection: Sultan Bayezid I (or Bajazet, 1360-1403) in a cage after his defeat to Tamerlan (Timur) (1336-1405)

Sultan Bayezid I (or Bajazet, 1360-1403) in a cage after his defeat to Tamerlan (Timur) (1336-1405)
ELD4883859 Sultan Bayezid I (or Bajazet, 1360-1403) in a cage after his defeat to Tamerlan (Timur) (1336-1405) Mongolian prince and descendant of Genghis Khan

Background imageShisha Collection: Lady with a Hawk, Pahari Style, Punjab Hills, c. 1750 (paint on paper)

Lady with a Hawk, Pahari Style, Punjab Hills, c. 1750 (paint on paper)
BAL106924 Lady with a Hawk, Pahari Style, Punjab Hills, c.1750 (paint on paper) by Guler School (18th Century); 20.6x11 cm; Victoria & Albert Museum, London, UK

Background imageShisha Collection: Girls Bathing, Pahari Style, Kangra School, Himachel Pradesh, 18th century (gouache on paper)

Girls Bathing, Pahari Style, Kangra School, Himachel Pradesh, 18th century (gouache on paper)
BAL106925 Girls Bathing, Pahari Style, Kangra School, Himachel Pradesh, 18th century (gouache on paper) by Indian School, (18th century); 18x15 cm; Victoria & Albert Museum, London, UK

Background imageShisha Collection: Still life with narguile Painting by Marc Alfred Chataud (1833-1908) Sun. 44x34 cm Mandatory mention

Still life with narguile Painting by Marc Alfred Chataud (1833-1908) Sun. 44x34 cm Mandatory mention
JEB4902015 Still life with narguile Painting by Marc Alfred Chataud (1833-1908) Sun. 44x34 cm Mandatory mention: Collection foundation regards de Provence, Marseille by Chataud

Background imageShisha Collection: The Slipper Merchant, 1872 (oil on canvas)

The Slipper Merchant, 1872 (oil on canvas)
WLT206783 The Slipper Merchant, 1872 (oil on canvas) by Villegas y Cordero, Jose (1844-1921); 48.3x65 cm; Walters Art Museum, Baltimore, USA

Background imageShisha Collection: A lady on a terrace with hookah and falcon, c. 1760 (opaque watercolor and gold on paper)

A lady on a terrace with hookah and falcon, c. 1760 (opaque watercolor and gold on paper)
5930829 A lady on a terrace with hookah and falcon, c.1760 (opaque watercolor and gold on paper) by Har Jaimal (fl.late 18th century); 23.5x15.9 cm; Freer Gallery of Art, Smithsonian Institution

Background imageShisha Collection: Alice and the Caterpillar, illustration from Alice in Wonderland, published by Editions Delagrave

Alice and the Caterpillar, illustration from Alice in Wonderland, published by Editions Delagrave, Paris
CHT195293 Alice and the Caterpillar, illustration from Alice in Wonderland, published by Editions Delagrave, Paris. 1935 (colour litho) by Pecoud

Background imageShisha Collection: Shah Allum reviewing the East India Company troops, 18th century (engraving)

Shah Allum reviewing the East India Company troops, 18th century (engraving)
3781583 Shah Allum reviewing the East India Company troops, 18th century (engraving); (add.info.: Shah Allum, mogul of Hindostan, reviewing the East India Companys troops)

Background imageShisha Collection: Objects from the Prince of Waless Presents at South Kensington (engraving)

Objects from the Prince of Waless Presents at South Kensington (engraving)
1602369 Objects from the Prince of Waless Presents at South Kensington (engraving) by Wilson, Thomas Walter (1851-1912); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageShisha Collection: Maharana Amar Singh II smoking a sheep-shaped hookah, c. 1705 (opaque w / c and gold on paper)

Maharana Amar Singh II smoking a sheep-shaped hookah, c. 1705 (opaque w / c and gold on paper)
6040479 Maharana Amar Singh II smoking a sheep-shaped hookah, c.1705 (opaque w/c and gold on paper) by Stipple Master (fl.c.1705); 23x17.9 cm; San Diego Museum of Art

Background imageShisha Collection: Muslim women and metouali from Sidon. Engraving by Y. Pranishnikoff

Muslim women and metouali from Sidon. Engraving by Y. Pranishnikoff, to illustrate the story La Syria d aujourd hui
LSE4332433 Muslim women and metouali from Sidon. Engraving by Y.Pranishnikoff, to illustrate the story La Syria d aujourd hui, by M.Lortet, dean of the Faculty of Medicine of Lyon

Background imageShisha Collection: Page 6. An Indian Scepter used for fanning their Chiefs;a Hubble Bubble or Indian tobacco pipe;an

Page 6. An Indian Scepter used for fanning their Chiefs;a Hubble Bubble or Indian tobacco pipe;an Indian shield;an
5669976 Page 6. An Indian Scepter used for fanning their Chiefs; a Hubble Bubble or Indian tobacco pipe; an Indian shield; an Indian scourge, 1810-17 (w/c & manuscript text) by Digby



All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

"Exploring the Rich History and Cultural Significance of Shisha" Shisha, also known as nargile or hookah, has a fascinating history that spans across different countries and centuries. From Algeria to Egypt, Greece to Syria, this traditional smoking device has left its mark on various cultures. In Algeria, a captivating image emerges of a woman gracefully smoking from a nargile pipe. The scene transports us to Khan el-Khalili bazaar in Cairo, Egypt where vibrant shisha pipes are displayed at the bustling Souk. Meanwhile, card players engage in friendly competition while enjoying their hookahs in Piraeus, Greece. Delving deeper into history takes us back to an Arab Cafe in Cairo circa 1906. Here we witness the social aspect as people gather together for conversation and relaxation. Damascus in 1894 reveals another glimpse into the past with Narguila smokers indulging in this beloved tradition. Even further back in time lies a stunning portrait depicting a lady on a terrace with her hookah dating back to around 1770. This exquisite artwork showcases the elegance associated with shisha throughout centuries. Traveling westward brings us to Tunisia's Sousse where an enchanting cafe within Madina offers respite for locals and tourists alike who seek solace while puffing away on their favorite flavored tobacco blends. The historical significance is not limited to Eastern cultures alone; it transcends borders and reaches far corners of the world. A seated portrait captures Ram Chandra Lahiri - Dewan of Cooch Bewar during his tenure from 1829-1842 - showcasing how even influential figures found solace through this timeless practice. Artistic renditions by Walter Crane depict scenes that highlight both cultural diversity and aesthetic beauty associated with shisha usage over time. Additionally, an intricately designed hookah base from the 17th century showcases craftsmanship using zinc alloy and "bidri ware" inlaid with gold.