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CHINESE MOTHER-OF-PEARLS INLAID OPIUM PIPE
Origin: China
Date: Late 19th–early 20th century
Materials: mother-of-pearl, jade, ceramic, metal fittings
Dimensions:
Description:
Chinese opium pipe slender stem, inlaid with hundreds of small pieces of shimmering mother-of-pearl arranged in repeating floral and geometric motifs. The inlay work covers nearly the entire surface, creating a luminous effect when viewed under soft light. At the center sits a hexagonal white ceramic bowl, used for heating and vaporizing the prepared opium.
Adjacent to the bowl’s metal fitting is a small jade cabochon, possibly serving both decorative and symbolic purposes, as jade is traditionally associated with purity, protection, and high social standing. The ends of the stem are capped with metal fittings, one forming the mouthpiece, the other reinforcing the opposite extremity.
Cultural Context:
In the Qing dynasty and into the early Republican era, opium smoking was a highly ritualized activity, and pipes were often crafted to reflect the wealth and refinement of their owners. Mother-of-pearl inlay was a labor-intensive art, requiring patience and skill, and its inclusion here suggests that the pipe belonged to a patron of means who valued both function and beauty.
Origin: China
Date: Late 19th–early 20th century
Materials: mother-of-pearl, jade, ceramic, metal fittings
Dimensions:
Description:
Chinese opium pipe slender stem, inlaid with hundreds of small pieces of shimmering mother-of-pearl arranged in repeating floral and geometric motifs. The inlay work covers nearly the entire surface, creating a luminous effect when viewed under soft light. At the center sits a hexagonal white ceramic bowl, used for heating and vaporizing the prepared opium.
Adjacent to the bowl’s metal fitting is a small jade cabochon, possibly serving both decorative and symbolic purposes, as jade is traditionally associated with purity, protection, and high social standing. The ends of the stem are capped with metal fittings, one forming the mouthpiece, the other reinforcing the opposite extremity.
Cultural Context:
In the Qing dynasty and into the early Republican era, opium smoking was a highly ritualized activity, and pipes were often crafted to reflect the wealth and refinement of their owners. Mother-of-pearl inlay was a labor-intensive art, requiring patience and skill, and its inclusion here suggests that the pipe belonged to a patron of means who valued both function and beauty.
