IVORY REST FOR CHINESE OPIUM PIPE SKEWER, ELEPHANTS

Home > Worthopedia – Price Guide > Ethnic, Folk & Native American Art >

Terms and Conditions for using our site

IVORY REST FOR CHINESE OPIUM PIPE SKEWER, ELEPHANTS

Sold For:

or Sign In to see what it's worth.

Sold Date: 02/17/2007
Channel: Online Auction
Source: eBay
Category: Ethnic, Folk & Native American Art

IVORY REST FOR OPIUM PIPE SKEWER

PAIR OF ELEPHANTS

Up for auction is this super ivory rest, for the opium pipe skewer, or needle. The piece depicts two elephants, standing face to face, with a Chinese style support on their backs, to place the skewer. The rest measures 4 1/8 inches long by 3/4 inch tall, by 5/8 inch width. This piece would be a valuable addition to any collection of opium art.

The Chinese method of smoking opium did not 'burn' the opium, but in fact 'distilled' the vapors in a highly specialized damper or bowl. This is unlike any other smoking method, which usually burns the product, while the key to this process was to not burn the opium, but to vaporize it. One of the simplest tools used in the preparation of the opium was the skewer, or needle. However, simple as it was, it was indispensable in the preparation of opium for smoking in a Chinese pipe. One end of the skewer would be ground down to a fine point, for which the opium pellet would be inserted into the bowl. The fine tip of the skewer would leave a hole as it was inserted, to facilitate the draw after the opium was heated. The other tip of the skewer would be hammered flat to provide a small spatula for scraping residue and other purposes. As the opium pellet was placed by the opening and heated, it would be transformed by the heat into a dense vapor, which then would be drawn into the bowl, through the opening at the top of the bowl. When the vapors hit the large compartment inside the bowl, it caused the solid matter to precipitate from the vapor and stick to the inside of the bowl. This left the pure distilled elements of the opium in a vapor form, which greatly decreased the harsh effects of regular 'smoking'.

It should be noted that this auction is for the ivory rest only, and that the other items pictured are not included. Please feel free to ask any questions, and happy bidding!