Smoking waterpipe was a common thing among the Chinese during the 19th and early 20th century. Many people smoked tabacco with pipes like this. The whole pipe is well made of ‘Paktong’ or by the Chinese named ‘Baitong’.
The small metal water pipe is placed in a box and accompanied by a tobacco jar and all utensils for smoking: a needle, a brush and a tweezer. The metal is normally pakton, (Chinese silver with a high nickel alloy), sometimes embellished with enamel cloisonné or shagreen. They are rarely made of silver.

This example has a carved pigskin case with openwork swastika’s and lucky coins. The tweezer and pipe are decorated with the same symbols.

The tabacco container and pipe are both marked with the shop mark reading: Zao Ji (shop name) , 任升從官 Renshengcongguan (hoping to be promoted to senior officials ) 白 自明 造 Bai Ziming made , and 揀選 selected quality. The other reads: 排記 Pai Ji ( shop name ) , 任升從真 Renshengcongzhen, 白 得兴 造 Bai Dexing made , and 揀選 selected quality .

Condition: Excellent, some minor ware and small dry cracks on the leather which is varnished to maintain it’s quailty.

Dimensions:
Height: 30,7cm
Wide: 8.4cm

Weight: 457gr.

Copyright by Peter Andeweg 2020