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

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#164740

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.