Exquisitely Detailed Opium Lamp for Translation Assistance, etc, Please

Discussion in 'Metalware' started by wlwhittier, Apr 20, 2022.

  1. wlwhittier

    wlwhittier Well-Known Member

    The 3 panels with turquoise enamel are probably linked to 3 other panels (not fully shown, but alternatively placed around the hex base). Where the sequence begins s a mystery...as is their content/meaning.

    The pierced ~2⅜" draft-ring is extremely finely worked...and under close examination with a loupe shows every niche, corner and crevice crammed with the black soil from many decades of use in an opium parlor. I believe it is a machined casting, but am loath to attempt the cleaning necessary for confirmation of that...Patina, y'know?

    The signature may not be legible...but any help will be gratefully acknowledged! More pics on demand...Warren
    fullsizeoutput_8cbd.jpeg fullsizeoutput_8cbc.jpeg fullsizeoutput_8cbb.jpeg fullsizeoutput_8cb6.jpeg fullsizeoutput_8cb2.jpeg
     
    Born2it, judy, JUSTIN JAMES and 4 others like this.
  2. Firemandk

    Firemandk Well-Known Member

    no idea, but I like it !
     
    Born2it, judy and kyratango like this.
  3. wlwhittier

    wlwhittier Well-Known Member

    Thanks, all!

    When I know a wee bit more about it, I'll list it on eBay...an' let y'all know about it here. wlw
     
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  4. Sdcookie2

    Sdcookie2 Well-Known Member

    Chinese export mark,.might want to test if it is silver?
     
    judy likes this.
  5. wlwhittier

    wlwhittier Well-Known Member

    Could be, I guess...you mean the mark on the base?

    There's no Silver; the thing is brass (or bronze), and Nickel-Silver...known as Paktong in most of Asia, and enamel.

    Thanks for the post, Sdcookie! Warren
     
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  6. Shangas

    Shangas Underage Antiques Collector and Historian

    It's missing the chimney...
     
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  7. wlwhittier

    wlwhittier Well-Known Member

    Yup! Thanks for noticing...I might have missed that.
     
    judy likes this.
  8. Goldfinch 05

    Goldfinch 05 New Member

    I am now the proud owner of this beautiful lamp. Made of paktong. Not sure the open metal work was machine casting or chiseled. Well made though. Will fit it with a replacement glass chimney to make it more complete. A well made example of this kind of paktong lamp.
     
  9. kyratango

    kyratango Bug jewellery addiction!

    Nice!!!
     
  10. Goldfinch 05

    Goldfinch 05 New Member

  11. Shangas

    Shangas Underage Antiques Collector and Historian

    Very very nice!! :)
     
    kyratango likes this.
  12. Goldfinch 05

    Goldfinch 05 New Member

    I have since deciphered the words inscribed on the three panels in the lamp base
    一片冰心在玉壺
    雪滿山中高士臥
    月明林下美人來
    These are all taken from two classical poems from the Tang Dynasty
    The first line translates to "a chilled heart hidden inside a jade jar"
    The second and third line came from a poem which described a branch of blooming plum flower in the snow and suggested it resembled a hermit lying on a snow mountain and under the moonlight, saw a beautiful lady dancing.
     
    Figtree3 and kyratango like this.
  13. kyratango

    kyratango Bug jewellery addiction!

    Wonderful opium lamp! How did you found the chimney? So often missing and very hard to complete...
     
  14. Goldfinch 05

    Goldfinch 05 New Member

    I have access to a craftsman who can make replacement glass chimneys.
     
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