Mongolian lacquered wood tobacco pipe with jade, silver, and brocade pouch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
19th-20th century
This Mongolian tobacco pipe set from the 19th-20th century consists of a traditional pipe and an accompanying storage pouch. The pipe is constructed from lacquered wood, finished in a distinctive combination of red and black lacquer.
It features a decorative bronze and silver pipe bowl and is finished with a white jade mouthpiece, highlighting the use of high-quality materials. The accompanying storage pouch is finely crafted from brocade, woven with intricate metal threads. The pouch ensemble is accessorized with a silver chain, a specialized pipe pick, and a distinctively lobed ornament featuring a pierced 'endless knot' design. The set measures 23.3 cm for the pipe length and 19.7 cm for the pouch.
This assembly of pipe, cleaning tool, and decorative textile container serves as a comprehensive example of traditional Mongolian smoking culture, demonstrating complex decorative techniques in both the woodwork and the accompanying metal and textile work.
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
- 372 g
- Materials
- lacquered wood, bronze, silver, white jade, textile brocade, metal thread
- Dimensions
- 23.3 cm (pipe), 19.7 cm (pouch)
Technical characteristics
- Components
- pipe, pouch, silver chain, pipe pick
Design
- Ornamentation
- endless knot design on silver ornament
- Lacquer finish
- red and black
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.