Cafe in Constantinople, 1847

‘Café in Constantinople’ by Alexandre Bida 1847   “This precise and carefully finished work reflects an unusual technique. Building up the entire area with ink and graphite over white chalk, Bida used a stylus to scratch a comprehensive network of Read More …

L ‘odalisque, 1871

‘L ‘odalisque’ by  Jean Baptiste Camille Corot 1871/1873  

A Sailor Made Man, 1921

Harold Lloyd and Mildred Davis smoking from a waterpipe in the silent comedy ‘A Sailor-Made Man’ 1921    

Spark of Nature’s Fire, 1944

“Give me a spark o’ Nature’s fire, That’s a’ the learning I desire.” – by Robert Burns from ‘Epistle To J. Lapraik’ (An Old Scottish Bard) 1785     Woman smokes from a water pipe, photographed by John Gutmann –  India Read More …

Confiscated Donkeys, 1920’s

‘Donkeys used to smuggle sotol across the border during prohibition (Sotol is a liquor similar to tequila).’ Photographed by U.S. Border Patrol Agents, Texas 1920’s    

After the Bath, 19th Century

‘After the Bath’ by Jean-Léon Gérôme (1824-1904)  19th century      

Greek Party Girls, 1910

Three nude women smoke a waterpipe while dancing and playing music, Greek postcard, around 1910        

Foochow Singing Women, 1870

‘Foochow Singing Women’ with water pipe on table by Lai Afong,  Fuzhou ,China, 1870    

Turkish Delight, 19th Century

A Turkish threesome enjoying a smoke,  cdv (carte de visite) Studio portrait.  Constantinople,Turkey  1860-80    

Ox Cart Smoke Thru, 1908

‘A poor cripple’s ox-cart’, stereograph by Stereo Travel Co. In Calcutta, India 1908