Featured Two Brass Opium Pipes and Opium Pillows

Discussion in 'Antique Discussion' started by Shangas, Nov 9, 2017.

  1. Shangas

    Shangas Underage Antiques Collector and Historian

    Another junkshop score from my travels around southeast Asia - now in Singapore.

    View attachment 98057

    The two wooden rectangular things are antique opium pillows (they were commonly made of wood, or porcelain).

    The two long brass things are opium pipes. I had some doubts as to their age, but they seemed to fit the bill, so I bought them. At least they were cheap-ish. They are hollow inside and air flows through. The bowls are removable, and screw on and off. Again, these are hollow. They look genuinely aged and while of similar style and decoration, are not a matched pair.

    I'm not entirely sure how old they might be, but I'd say that they're not modern repros. I've seen PLENTY of those.

    What do you chaps and chapettes think??
     
    Figtree3, Joshua Brown and kyratango like this.
  2. kyratango

    kyratango Bug jewellery addiction!

    The pipes never saw opium in my opinion... At least, they have the shape of opium pipes;) and very decorative, vintage at best. So much water pipes are described as "opium"...
    The hole on dampers is too large.
    [​IMG]
    A very well documented article on Collectors Weekly about opium paraphernalia, which led me to begin a collection!):
    https://www.collectorsweekly.com/articles/journey-into-the-opium-underworld/
     
  3. Shangas

    Shangas Underage Antiques Collector and Historian

    So what differentiates an authentic antique pipe from a modern reproduction?
     
    Christmasjoy and Joshua Brown like this.
  4. kyratango

    kyratango Bug jewellery addiction!

    Authentic pipes are intended to smoke, even the most decorated ones must have certain specificities to allow the smoker getting the best from his drug.
    Read thoroughly the article, tips are there :)
     
  5. Bakersgma

    Bakersgma Well-Known Member

    Where did the picture go?
     
  6. kyratango

    kyratango Bug jewellery addiction!

  7. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    I can't see it either.:confused:
     
  8. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

  9. quirkygirl

    quirkygirl likes pretty old things

    @Shangas , would it be possible for you to post your photo(s) again? Something seems to have gone awry with it/them in your original post.

    (Not that I know anything about the items you're describing, but you take such wonderful photos ... plus it's great to learn about different objects)
     
  10. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    We've had opium pipe posts before...

    "So much water pipes are described as "opium"..."

    Because tobacco was commonly used along with opium, the tobacco pipes get mixed up when folks think they were the opium pipes....
     
  11. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

  12. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

  13. Shangas

    Shangas Underage Antiques Collector and Historian

    23472186_2002342220024254_1160623688310654844_n.jpg

    Here's the picture!!
     
  14. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    Beautiful, Shangas. Hope you enjoyed your meal.;)
     
  15. Shangas

    Shangas Underage Antiques Collector and Historian

    The opium and crack was delicious. The pot was a bit undercooked.
     
  16. pearlsnblume

    pearlsnblume Well-Known Member

    So I guess you are baked now. Just kidding.
    :smuggrin:
     
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