Bamboo & Repoussé Opium Pipe with Poppy Bowl

This long bamboo pipe dates to the early 20th century and was originally used for smoking opium. Unlike a tobacco pipe, the opium pipe was designed especially to allow resinous opium to be vaporized, rather than burned. Consequently, opium pipes have a distinctive form, featuring a long pipe-stem with a mouthpiece at one end and a pipe bowl affixed by a metal saddle two-thirds down the pipe. The opposite end of the stem would remain sealed, ensuring all airflow passed through pipe-bowl.

This large example has a darkened bamboo stem and end pieces of turned bone, each accented with a brass fitting decorated in repoussé with a dragon, phoenix, and flaming pearl, a motif for success and marital harmony. The metal saddle is formed of brass and plated copper with a floral repoussé design and features a node stem with handles shaped as ram's horns. A ceramic pipe bowl sits within the metal saddle, sculpted with fluted sides in the form of a poppy flower bulb. A small maker's mark is stamped on the underside of the bowl.

Additional Dimensions:
Pipe Bowl: 2"Dia x 2"H