Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Dynasty Engraved Brass Water Pipe

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Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Dynasty Engraved Brass Water Pipe

This exceptional 19th-century Chinese Qing Dynasty water-tobacco pipe is an … Read more Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Dynasty Engraved Brass Water Pipe

This exceptional 19th-century Chinese Qing Dynasty water-tobacco pipe is an authentic piece of late-imperial social history, perfect for collectors of Asian antiquities. Constructed from hand-worked brass, the cylindrical water reservoir base features a beautifully detailed, hand-incised "Bird and Bamboo" motif. The artwork is framed symmetrically by upper and lower geometric diamond-lattice borders. In traditional Chinese iconography, the songbird brings glad tidings, while the resilient bamboo symbolizes strength, flexibility, and integrity.

The pipe features matching vertical workshop hallmark stamps under both the main water chamber base and the interior of the hinged tobacco compartment lid:廣東 (Guangdong): The historic province of manufacture, famous for high-quality metalwork artisan guilds. 張新記 (Zhang Xin Ji): The commercial house stamp identifying the prominent Zhang Family metal workshop. 足銀 (Zu Yin): This translates to "Pure Silver." Notably, this prestige mark was historically stamped by trade workshops onto brass pieces to signify a premium design or to elevate its status in the late 19th-century marketplace.

The pipe retains its full suite of four historical, matching component tools: Extended brass tweezers/tongs for handling tobacco and paper spill tinder. Long cleaning needle/pick for maintaining clear airflow. Removable tobacco bowl insert showing honest historical wear.Removable interior downstem intake pipe. An eye-catching decorative object with a beautiful warm patina, ideal for display on a desktop, library shelf, or cabinet curation.

Condition: Excellent antique condition with appropriate age-related surface wear, rich golden brass patina, and minimal historical distortion to the removable bowl rim from authentic use. See less