Opium Bowl Stand, Vietnamese

Opium Pipe Bowl Stand

Vietnam

late 19th century

length: 22cm each

The stand for a single opium pipe bowl is of wood, shaped as a pillow and with stylised orchid scrolling carved into the top. The stand is lacquered in two tones of red. The condition of the stand is fair – there is some wood shrinkage and flaking to the lacquer, but overall, the stand is attractive and a pleasing example of Vietnamese opium-related woodwork. The stand was sourced from France, further suggesting a Vietnamese provenance.

The pipe bowl shown is for illustrative purposes only. It is almost certainly a fake; the hole at the top is too big and there is no indentation around the hole to allow the pellet of opium resin to rest.

Inventory no.: 710

SOLD