article

Utensils for the opium smoker

Original title: De attributen van de opiumschuiver

By Don Duco

Abstract: This brief article presents a general introduction in the utensils used by the smoker of opium. The first part deals with the variety of pipes, the different materials used and the characteristics of the tube, the saddle and the damper. Secondly the utensils encircling the opium ritual are discussed, such as the needle, the lamp and other objects.

Sorry, we do not have an English translation available. For the full text of this article, please visit the Dutch version of our website.

© Don Duco, Pijpenkabinet Foundation, Amsterdam - Holland, 1997.

Read more on this subject in the magnificent monograph by Don Duco, Opium & opiumschuiven, Amsterdam, 2006.

Illustrations

1. Two metal tobacco pipes as the earliest type of opium pipes to be smoked with a melange of tobacco soaked in opium water that is called madat. China, 1860-1900.
Amsterdam, Pijpenkabinet collections Pk 17.546 and 17.547

2. Opium pipe made from sugar cane with a simple white metal saddle and a red stone ware damper. China, 1890-1920.
Amsterdam, Pijpenkabinet collections Pk 12.002

3. Opium pipe of bamboo with the disks of the bamboo flattened, the saddle in brass and copper with three semi-precious stones, bowl in red baking clay. China, 1880-1910.
Amsterdam, Pijpenkabinet collections Pk 15.043

4. Opium pipe in ivory in three parts each part separated with an embossed silver band, the silver saddle with two Chinese persons in a landscape, bowl in Chinese stone ware. China, 1870-1900.
Amsterdam, Pijpenkabinet collections Pk 2.527

5. Opium pipe in bone in five segments, the surface profusely decorated with an engraving, the lines filled in with black, the saddle of moulded lead, yi-xing pipe bowl. China, 1890-1920.
Amsterdam, Pijpenkabinet collections Pk 2.288

6. Opium pipe built up in sections of turned buffalo horn, mounted with a silver saddle. China, 1870-1900.
Amsterdam, Pijpenkabinet collections Pk 14.588

7.Opium pipe of bamboo covered with tortoishell and finished with a plain brass saddle the corners curved, completed with a black stoneware bowl. China, 1890-1910.
Amsterdam, Pijpenkabinet collections Pk 14.587

8. Embossed silver saddle embellished with colourfull enamel with the seven wise man standing on a cloud and the standing woman. China, 1895-1905.
Amsterdam, Pijpenkabinet collections Pk 12.726

9. Opium pipe bowl in ceramic with incised decoration of bamboo and Chinese characters, a metal band round the bowl. China, 1880-1900.
Amsterdam, Pijpenkabinet collections Pk 13.471

10. Beautiful opium pipe bowl glazed in four colours enamel, the so-called wu ts'ai. China, 1840-1860.
Amsterdam, Pijpenkabinet collections Pk 13.454 c.s.

11. Bottom view of a stone ware pipe bowl with stamped marks indicating the maker, the kiln, place of origin, sometimes also the date of production. China, 1880-1900.
Amsterdam, Pijpenkabinet collections Pk 12.741

12. Pipe bowl in stone ware shaped as a sitting Buddha, casted in a two parted mould. China, 1880-1910.
Amsterdam, Pijpenkabinet collections Pk 14.739

13. Opium pipe bowl in porcelain shaped as a pumpkin, decorated in the style of the porcelain painters of that period. China, 1870-1900.
Amsterdam, Pijpenkabinet collections Pk 12.702

14. A poor man's lamp with lead base and a glass reservoir covered by a lamp glass. Vietnam, 1900-1920.
Amsterdam, Pijpenkabinet collections Pk 12.001f

15. Exclusive opium lamp with a green jade ring mounted in brass.China, 1880-1900.
Amsterdam, Pijpenkabinet collections Pk 13.458

16. Bowl scraper with embossed silver handle with bamboo and chrysantum decoration. China, 1900-1920.
Amsterdam, Pijpenkabinet collections Pk 2.856

17. Bowl stand in tropical hardwood artfully inlayed with mother of pearl ornaments such as roses on a rock and flowers in a vase. China, 1880-1920.
Amsterdam, Pijpenkabinet collections Pk 12.750

Notes

1. Jean Cocteau, Opium, dagboek van een ontwenning, De Woelrat, Amsterdam, 1986, p. 42.

2. Benedict Goes, 25 eeuwen roken, de verwonderlijke wereld van de pijp, Leiden, 1993, p. 77.
1. Two metal tobacco pipes as the earliest type of opium pipe to smoke a melange of tobacco and opium water called madat. China, 1860-1900.
1. Detail of metal tobacco pipes to smoke a melange of tobacco and opium water called madat. China, 1860-1900..
2. Opium pipe made from sugar cane with a simple white metal saddle and a red stone ware damper. China, 1890-1920
2. Detail of an opium pipe made from sugar cane with a simple white metal saddle and a red stone ware damper. China, 1890-1920
3. Opium pipe of bamboo with the disks of the bamboo flattened, saddle in brass and copper, bowl in red baking clay. China, 1880-1910.
3. Detail of an opium pipe of bamboo with the disks of the bamboo flattened, saddle in brass and copper, bowl in red baking clay. China, 1880-1910.
4. Opium pipe in ivory in three parts each part separated with an embossed silver band, the silver saddle with floral decorations, bowl in Chinese stone ware. China, 1870-1900
4. Detail of an opium pipe in ivory in three parts each part separated with an embossed silver band, the silver saddle with floral decorations, bowl in Chinese stone ware. China, 1870-1900
5. Opium pipe in bone in five segments, the surace profusely decorated with an engraving, the lines filled in with black, the saddle of moulded lead, yi-xing bowl. China, 1890-1920.
5. Detail of an opium pipe in bone in five segments, the surace profusely decorated with an engraving, the lines filled in with black, the saddle of moulded lead, yi-xing bowl. China, 1890-1920.
6. Opium pipe built up in sections of turned buffalo horn, mounted with a silver saddle. China, 1870-1900.
6. Detail of an opium pipe built up in sections of turned buffalo horn, mounted with a silver saddle. China, 1870-1900.
7.Opium pipr of bamboo covered with tortoishell and finished with a plain brass saddle the corners curved. China, 1890-1910
7. Detail of an opium pipe of bamboo covered with tortoishell and finished with a plain brass saddle the corners curved. China, 1890-1910
12. Pipe bowl in stone ware shaped as a sitting Buddha. China, 1880-1910.
15. Exclusive opium lamp with a jade ring mounted in brass.China, 1880-1900.
10. Opium pipe bowl glazed in four colours enamel, the so-called wu ts'ai. China, 1840-1860.
8. Embossed silver saddle embelllished with colourfull enamel. China, 1895-1905
13. Opium pipe bowl in porcelain shaped as a pumpkin, decorated in the style of the porcelain painters of that era. China, 1870-1900.
10. Bottom view of an opium pipe bowl glazed in four colours enamel, the so-called wu ts'ai. China, 1840-1860.
16. Bowl scraper with embossed silver handle with bamboo and chrysantum decoration. China, 1900-1920
14. A poor mens lamp with lead base and a glas reservoir and lampglass. Vietnam, 1900-1920.
11. Bottom view of a stone ware pipe bowl with stamped marks. China, 1880-1900.
9. Opium pipe bowl in ceramic, a metal band round the bowl. China, 1880-1900.
17. Bowl stand in tropical hardwood artfully inlayed with mother of pearl ornaments. China, 1880-1920.

< back
<< home
Pijpenkabinet - the national museum with its global collections
© copyright Pijpenkabinet, Amsterdam - Holland

click here for
address