Chinese Vintage Brass Water Pipe, C. 1950

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This curious object is a vintage Chinese water pipe used for smoking loose tobacco. Much like a hookah pipe, these … Read more This curious object is a vintage Chinese water pipe used for smoking loose tobacco. Much like a hookah pipe, these small water pipes mellowed the harshness of smoke by drawing it through water held in the lower compartment.

This example dates to the mid-20th century and is crafted of brass with now-faded white brass plating. The base of the pipe is decorated with relief casts of birds and butterflies, as well as two small dragons along the handle. The apparatus includes a pair of small tweezers and a second compartment used to store loose tobacco, the lid engraved with the God of Longevity.

Original mouthpiece and pipe bowl have been lost See less