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Chinese or Mongolian black lacquered opium pipe with spinach jade mouthpiece and embroidered leather pouch

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · partial

Period

19th century

This 19th-century opium pipe set originates from China or Mongolia and includes a black lacquered pipe paired with an elaborate embroidered leather pouch. The pipe features a spinach-green jade mouthpiece and an iron and bronze bowl intricately incised with scrolling clouds set between key fret borders.

The accompanying leather pouch is decorated with vibrant, multicolored thread embroidery. Its top is adorned with refined silver medallions and supports a long silver chain ending in a Buddhist lion ornament and a functional pipe pick. The set reflects the traditional craftsmanship of the period, combining functional pipe smoking implements with decorative accessories. With a total weight of 511 grams, the pipe measures 26.7 cm in length, while the pouch measures 23.6 cm.

This ensemble represents a historical object used for opium smoking, showcasing a blend of lacquered materials, jade, iron, bronze, and silver craftsmanship. The detailed embroidery on the pouch and the intricate metalwork on the bowl and silver attachments demonstrate the high level of artistry associated with personal smoking equipment of the 19th century.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
1
Photograph views
1
Catalogue references
0

Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.

Physical characteristics

Weight
511 g
Pipe length
26.7 cm
Pouch length
23.6 cm

Technical characteristics

Pipe materials
lacquer, iron, bronze, spinach-green jade
Pouch materials
leather, colorful thread, silver

Design

Pipe bowl motifs
scrolling clouds, key fret borders
Pouch attachments
silver medallions, silver chain, Buddhist lion ornament, pipe pick

Identification

Source note
Described from a single auction-house listing published on Invaluable (reproduced with Invaluable's permission). Details apply to that one example; other examples of the type may differ, and the listing is supplementary evidence, not authentication.

Catalogue references

No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.