Paktong Chinese Water Pipe - Ca 1900 Throws faded red and black beading

faded red and black beading can also be seen running around the frame

probably the 19th century

5 x H54 cm

Panchpatra are holy water vessels used in puja ceremonies and ones like this are now rare to find

highlighting the depth of the carving and the natural grain of the wood

Paktong Chinese Water Pipe - Ca 1900 Throws faded red and black beadingThis Chinese nickel paktong water pipe would have been used to smoke tobacco & opium. The inlay is in celluloid. Heated opium or tobacco would be placed in the lidded well of this ornate water pipe and the fumes were inhaled through the pipe The first Opium war was triggered by the Qing dynasty's campaign against the British merchants who sold opium to Chinese merchants. Many Chinese people were addicted to it. These decorative pipes are a piece of