Late Qing to Republic Period brass opium pipe with cleaning tool set
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
Late Qing to c. 1912 (Republic Period)
This brass opium pipe dates to the late Qing Dynasty or the early Republic Period, circa 1912. The pipe is constructed of brass and stands 24 centimeters high, with a base width of 12 centimeters.
The design features raised relief decoration depicting rural scenes on both sides of the base. The piece includes a functional cleaning tool set, which is stored within the pipe assembly. The aesthetic of the object reflects the traditional craftsmanship of the period, combining utilitarian design with ornamental relief work. The brass has developed a patina consistent with its age and use. The ensemble serves as a historical example of specialized smoking implements used in late imperial and early modern China, emphasizing both the functional nature of the opium pipe and the decorative arts applied to daily objects of the era.
The inclusion of the original cleaning tools further characterizes the set as a complete historical conversation piece.
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
- Height
- 24 cm
- Material
- brass
- Base width
- 12 cm
Design
- Features
- includes cleaning tool set
- Decoration
- raised relief rural scenes
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.