East Asia, China, Qing Dynasty, ca. 19th century CE. A beautiful ceramic opium pot presenting a concave base and corseted body with a bulbous lower section and a discoid top fit with a copper neck, rim, and high arching handle. A copper band surrounds the periphery of the top section, which features a copper tube that serves to hold the opium tar extending downwards from the removable lid, while a pair of bat-form fasteners - a symbol for good luck - sit at the base of each side of the handle. The rim is encompassed by a nickel silver ring displaying a dragon design, each beast with a lengthy, sinuous body. The body of the vessel is enveloped in a white glaze with blue-painted details, such as a lotus flower surrounding the rim, as well as 4 lines of Chinese text and an abstract, phytomorphic motif on the body. The second rim on the side of the shoulder would function for one to insert a straw and smoke the opium tar. Size: 4" in diameter x 4.875" H (10.2 cm x 12.4 cm)
Provenance: private Midlothian, Texas, USA collection
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#164740
Condition
Indecipherable Chinese characters, possibly a reign mark, on base. Some bending to interior object. Otherwise, intact and excellent with nicks patina and impressive remaining pigments.