Maklaud Darkness Shisha

Maklaud Darkness Shisha: a sculpture-hookah limited to 50 pieces

The Maklaud Darkness shisha belongs to that rare category of objects you look at as much as you use. Released in February 2025 and limited to 50 pieces, it stages an unsettling character surrounded by soft toys, standing on a tray drawn like a spider's web. Sculptor Alexey Samolov's message comes down to one simple idea: things are not always what they seem, and the monster of the story often turns out far kinder than anyone expected. At 62 cm tall, it commands the table like an exhibition piece — while never stopping being a complete hookah, designed to be used.

A purge hidden inside the artwork

This is the model's technical find: purging happens through the sculpture itself. No visible valve on the stem, no add-on part breaking the line of the piece — the air pushed out of the base escapes through the Darkness element. The gesture stays the one every regular knows: a short blow into the mouthpiece to refresh the air between sequences and go back to clean flavours. A spare valve ball is included, the small part you always end up looking for at the wrong moment.

AISI 304 stainless steel, patinated bronze and a crystal base

The build rests on a clear split of materials. Everything that touches airflow and water is AISI 304 stainless steel: the stem, the downstem, the bottom plate, the bowl connector and the hose connector. This food-grade steel does not rust, adds no metallic taste to the vapour and cleans with warm water without harsh products. The artistic part is made of patinated bronze — the Darkness figure and the charcoal tray, whose deep patina gives the piece its character. The mouthpiece combines stainless steel and bronze, in the same spirit. The base is crystal: denser and brighter than ordinary glass, it brings real stability to the whole and shows off the movement of the water on every draw.

A fully handmade piece

At Maklaud, every single unit passes through the hands of several craftsmen, from the sketch and the prototype right through to polishing and packing. This way of working explains the exclusivity of these objects, and also one consequence worth knowing before you buy: the look and shade of your piece may differ slightly from the photos. No two Darkness are ever strictly identical, and that is precisely what gives them their value in collectors' eyes. The hookah travels in its original pine case, suited both to transport and to storing a collector's piece.

A complete set, ready for the first session

Unlike many high-end models sold bare, this Darkness arrives fully equipped. The Soft Touch silicone hose and its handle give a soft grip, hold no flavours from one session to the next and rinse out easily. To that add the phunnel bowl, the charcoal tongs, the steel and bronze mouthpiece, plus the bowl and base grommets. All that is left is to choose a molasses and natural charcoal to start the first session: the phunnel setup, with its single central chimney, keeps the juices at the bottom of the bowl and clearly extends how long the flavours last.

Who this shisha is for

The Darkness clearly speaks to collectors and seasoned enthusiasts after an exceptional piece, made rare by its 50-unit run. It also has its place in a high-end lounge or shisha bar looking for a centrepiece in the window or on a VIP table, with the advantage of a stainless steel that stands up to real use. An enthusiast marking a milestone in their collection will see an object to pass on rather than a simple equipment purchase.

Why buy it on el-badia.com

El-Badia has been supporting private customers and professionals since 1991, with more than thirty years of experience in shisha. On the site you will find everything needed to keep this piece alive: heat management systems, natural charcoal, molasses, replacement bowls and maintenance accessories. Our team helps you put together a set-up worthy of a hookah at this level, and to look after it over the years.

Expert tip for preserving the patina

Patinated bronze calls for different care from stainless steel. Avoid abrasive products and acidic detergents on the tray and on the sculpture: a soft, slightly damp cloth followed by immediate drying is enough after each session. Save the deeper cleaning for the stainless steel stem and downstem, rinsed with warm water and a soft brush. Submerge the downstem 2 to 3 cm in the water of the base for a smooth, effortless draw, purge regularly to keep the flavours clean, and always set the charcoal around the edge of the tray rather than in direct contact with the sculpted reliefs.