ca. 1900 (Qing-dynastie) - No reserve price - Pipe - nickel silver

An original Chinese water pipe (shuiyanhu) from the late Qing Dynasty (circa 1900). Where this kind of object in the West is often unjustly mistaken for opium pipes, in imperial China they were used for smoking finely cut tobacco. Exceptionally Complete Example. What makes this set unique is its rare completeness. The outer housing with an open-work bottom. The removable water reservoir with the long, elegantly curved smoking stem. The removable cylindrical tobacco holder with a hinged lid. The original metal tweezers (for handling tobacco) including the carrying chain. The long, finely decorated ash- and cleaning-needle. Copper maintenance/insert tube. Richly Marked & Certified (5 Stamps) :廣東 (Guangdong): Region of origin (Canton), at the time the center for high-quality metalworking. 源遠內 (Yuan Yuan Nei): The signature of the respected workshop 'Yuan Yuan'. 十足青 (Shi Zu Qing): Material stamp that guarantees the highest quality and purity of pak tong (nickel silver/white brass). 真銀 (Zhen Yin): Quality stamp on the base that denotes "Real Silver" (referring to the original heavy silvering of the object). 雙 (Shuang): Artisanal production stamp ("Double") on the bottom of the tobacco case. Beautiful symbolism. The bottom of the housing features two beautiful, openwork cutouts shaped like traditional Chinese coins (cash coins) with the characteristic square hole in the middle. In Chinese culture these symbolize wealth, happiness and enduring prosperity.

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