Vintage Egyptian Yehia El Khawanky Hookah – Blue Glass, Original Set

Description

Vintage Egyptian Yehia El Khawanky Hookah – Blue Glass, Original Set

Discover a distinctive vintage Egyptian Yehia El Khawanky hookah featuring a richly decorated cobalt-blue glass base, a tall polished metal stem, a circular metal tray and an original blue-and-gold braided hose with a turned wooden mouthpiece. This traditional Egyptian shisha combines striking Middle Eastern design with a remarkable first-hand ownership history.

Unlike many vintage hookahs with uncertain backgrounds or mixed replacement parts, this example was personally purchased in Egypt by its current owner approximately 20–25 years ago, around 2001–2006. According to the owner, the original components have remained together since that purchase, including the decorated glass base, metal body, traditional braided hose and associated accessories.

Its beautiful blue glasswork, distinctive metal construction and raised Arabic inscription make this an appealing Egyptian vintage collectible for enthusiasts of traditional decorative arts, historic craftsmanship and Middle Eastern interior design.

Key Details

Yehia El Khawanky – Egyptian Hookah Heritage

Yehia El-Khawanky Sons is a historic Egyptian name associated with the production of traditional hookahs and related accessories. The company’s catalogue traces its beginnings to 1890, reflecting a long-standing connection with the country’s shisha-making traditions.

Egyptian hookahs became widely recognised for their tall metal stems, elegantly shaped fittings, decorated glass bases and distinctive hoses. These features are associated with the traditional hookah designs produced and sold in Cairo and elsewhere in Egypt.

The El Khawanky name belongs to this Egyptian tradition. Its products are associated with decorative metalwork, traditional construction and classic shisha silhouettes.

It is important to distinguish the manufacturer’s historical background from the age of an individual object. The company’s nineteenth-century history does not mean that this particular hookah dates from the nineteenth century.

This example was acquired around 2001–2006. Its exact production year and model designation have not been independently established.

For a deeper understanding of the craftsmanship, Arabic inscriptions, historical makers and collector identification of traditional Egyptian shisha, explore our detailed guide to Egyptian hookah history, maker’s marks and collecting. The article also examines this original Yehia El Khawanky set as a documented example from The Old Antiquarian collection.

Personally Purchased in Egypt – A First-Hand Ownership History

One of the most interesting features of this vintage hookah is its direct connection to the person who originally purchased it.

The current owner personally acquired the complete set during a visit to Egypt approximately 20–25 years ago. Since then, it has remained together as a privately owned vintage object.

According to the owner, the cobalt-blue glass base, polished metal stem, circular tray, decorative braided hose and wooden mouthpiece are the same components supplied at the time of purchase.

The original carrying case has also been preserved, together with accessories and historical packaging associated with the set.

This first-hand account establishes a useful record of ownership and acquisition. Although an original dated receipt has not been supplied, the owner’s personal recollection provides a more informative history than is usually available for an unidentified second-hand hookah.

The combination of Egyptian purchase history, long-term personal ownership and preserved original components makes this example particularly interesting as a decorative collectible.

Cobalt-Blue Decorated Glass Base

The most visually striking feature of the hookah is its deep cobalt-blue glass base, decorated with white dotted floral patterns, silver-toned scrollwork and delicate ornamental lines.

The glass vessel has a narrow upper neck, gently widening body and stable flared lower section. Its traditional proportions create an elegant balance with the tall polished metal stem.

Small white floral motifs are arranged across the blue surface, while silver-coloured ornamental patterns give the base an elaborate decorative appearance.

Under natural light, the rich blue glass contrasts beautifully with the reflective metal and the gold-coloured threads of the original hose.

Several close-up photographs in the gallery document the surviving decorative details, glass shape and condition.

Traditional Metal Stem, Tray and Arabic Inscription

The hookah features a tall, silver-coloured metal stem composed of several shaped decorative sections. Its polished finish gives the object a characteristic traditional Egyptian appearance.

The upper assembly includes a broad circular metal tray and central fitting. Lower down are the curved hose connector, a small purge valve and the joint connecting the metal body to the glass vessel.

A particularly important identifying feature is the raised Arabic inscription on a scalloped metal component.

This inscription has been photographed separately for collector documentation. It is associated with the attribution to Yehia El Khawanky, although some lettering is obscured by the central fitting and a complete independent transcription has not been established.

The inscription is therefore presented as an important identification detail, rather than definitive proof of the precise model or manufacturing date.

Original Blue-and-Gold Braided Hose

Another distinctive feature is the original Egyptian-style braided hose, decorated with deep-blue textile covering and spiralling gold-coloured threads.

Its ornamental construction includes thick braided cuffs, decorative textile bands and a turned wooden mouthpiece.

The mouthpiece combines light natural wood with dark reddish-brown lacquered sections. The carefully shaped wooden details complement the metal stem and cobalt-blue glass base.

A faded dark marking remains visible on one of the light wooden sections. It has been documented in a separate photograph, but the individual characters cannot be reliably deciphered.

According to the owner, the hose and wooden mouthpiece have remained with the hookah since the original purchase in Egypt.

The textile covering and wooden surfaces display small signs of age and storage. The internal structure of the original hose has not been inspected or tested for functional use.

Original Accessories and Travel Case

The hookah has been preserved with its original components and associated accessories, including a carrying case designed to accommodate the disassembled parts.

The gallery documents the glass base, metal stem, metal tray, braided hose, wooden mouthpiece, hookah bowl and additional fittings.

The carrying case features a fabric exterior, zip fastening and internal padded compartments that help separate the glass and metal components.

Historical Egyptian packaging has also been retained alongside the set. Photographs show old Nakhla Tobacco and Hassan Shisha packages with traditional Arabic and English typography, fruit illustrations and colourful labels.

These packages form part of the photographic history of the collection. Tobacco products and charcoal are not included in the sale, and their contents or suitability for use have not been verified.

The preserved accessories and photographs provide useful information about how this traditional Egyptian hookah was acquired, stored and maintained over more than two decades.

Ideas for Decorative Display and Collecting

With its cobalt-blue glass, polished metalwork and elaborate textile hose, this vintage Egyptian hookah can serve as an attractive decorative and historical object.

• Middle Eastern interior decor – a distinctive centrepiece for a room with traditional rugs, carved wooden furniture and decorative metalwork.
• Egyptian collectibles – an interesting addition to a collection of vintage objects, traditional accessories and decorative arts from Egypt.
• Vintage home styling – a striking contrast of blue glass, reflective metal and gold-coloured textiles.
• Cultural exhibitions – suitable for a themed display exploring traditional Egyptian craftsmanship and historical hookah design.
• Photography and interior styling – an expressive decorative object for carefully arranged vintage compositions.
• Collector presentation – display the assembled hookah alongside photographs of its Arabic inscription, original components and carrying case.

The original construction should be preserved wherever possible, without irreversible modifications to the glass, metal fittings or braided hose.

Condition and Originality

This is a genuine vintage set with original components retained since purchase, according to its owner.

The polished metal surfaces show minor signs of age and handling. The wooden mouthpiece has small marks, some surface wear and a partially faded printed marking. The braided hose also displays visible age-related wear.

The cobalt-blue glass base retains its decorative floral and ornamental patterns. The photographs provide detailed views of its appearance and construction.

No professional restoration, material analysis or independent functional inspection has been documented.

The hookah has not been tested for air tightness, internal corrosion, hose condition or safe smoking use. The original parts are offered in their present vintage condition.

Collectors are encouraged to review the detailed photographs of the metal connections, wooden mouthpiece, braided hose, Arabic inscription, disassembled components and carrying case.

Dimensions and Availability

The hookah has a tall traditional Egyptian form with a broad metal tray and decorative glass base.

Exact height, base diameter and weight have not yet been recorded and should be confirmed by physical measurement.

One individual vintage set is available. The item offered is the original hookah and its confirmed accompanying non-consumable components. Historical tobacco and charcoal packages, as well as the rug and other photographic styling elements, are excluded.

Care and Important Safety Information

Given the age of the original hose and the unverified condition of the internal components, this hookah is offered primarily as a decorative and collectible object.

Its safety or suitability for functional smoking use has not been established. The historical tobacco and charcoal packaging shown in some photographs is included for documentary purposes only and does not form part of the sale.

Store the glass base in a stable position away from impacts and sudden temperature changes. Protect the decorative textile hose from moisture, excessive bending and prolonged direct sunlight.

For cleaning, use gentle methods appropriate to glass, metal and older textiles. Avoid aggressive chemicals and abrasive polishing that could damage original decorative surfaces.

Origin and Collector Appeal

This vintage Egyptian hookah combines several features that distinguish it from an ordinary decorative reproduction: a documented personal purchase in Egypt, more than two decades of ownership, preserved original components, distinctive cobalt-blue glasswork and a photographed Arabic inscription.

Its attributed connection to Yehia El Khawanky adds historical context to a collectible associated with Egypt’s traditional hookah culture.

Explore more antique and vintage interior objects in The Old Antiquarian collection.

Vintage Egyptian Yehia El Khawanky hookah with a decorated cobalt-blue glass base, polished metal stem, original blue-and-gold braided hose and first-hand purchase history from Egypt. An expressive historical and decorative collectible preserved with its original components for approximately 20–25 years.