The huqqa (or hookah) is composed of a bell-shaped base with a cylindrical neck, topped by a mushroom-shaped stem and cup-form end.
The huqqa is crafted from hard-paste porcelain which is a bold pink colour with white bands. Its base is finely painted with white oval medallions, containing detailed half-length portraits of the Qajar kings of Persia, Naser al-Din Shah (ruled 1848-1896) and Mozaffar al-Din Shah (ruled 1896-1907). These medallions are framed by green, yellow, pink and orange flower garlands, within blue pointed arches. The shoulders of the huqqa’s base are painted with yellow ribbon bows. Intricate painted depictions of orange fruits decorate the huqqa’s stem and top. Like the base, the top also features half-length portraits of the Persian kings, Naser al-Din Shah and Mozaffar al-Din Shah.
The huqqa is Continental, possibly Russian, in origin and was made for the Persian market.