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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: JAT on November 28, 2012, 02:09:19 PM
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I have followup photos (21). This is a project for a friend of mine and I just obtained the piece from her. The following information I believe will answer your previously posted questions along with more measurements, et cetera. Again, your assistance truly is appreciated:
1)The entire piece is metal (type I don't know). 2) Measurement from end of handle to point of container is 14.5". 3)Handle including figurine at end is 10-1/8"L x 3/4" depth. 4) Figurine end of handle (furthest from container) 1-10/8" H. 5) Figurine (cat of some sort) 1-1/4"H. 6) Figurine (fish) 1-7/8" L. 7) Figurine closest to container 1-1/2" L x 1" H. 8) Container is hexagonal. 9) Container opens with "knob" at top. Note there are hinges which I tried to capture which are broken. 10) Container top measures 3-3/4" (end of handle to opposite corner) x 3-1/2". 11) Each hexagonal section measures 2-1/2" H x 2.0" W. 12) Circular part firmly attached to handle and container is 1-1/4" (outside dimension) x approximately 3/4" (inside dimension). 13) I cannot be certain but inside of container appears to have been painted. Again, I appreciate all of your help, knowledge, expertise, and patience - you've been great. More photos to follow ::)
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More photos... and more to follow.
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More photos...
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More photos...
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More photos plus one more...
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Last photo! Thank you for your patience! ;D
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Quinborne needs to look at this !! He has the expertise in oriental objects !! I sure don`t !!
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looks like it could be used for smoking Opium....
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Thanks! Interesting possibility! Hmmm....
looks like it could be used for smoking Opium....
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How ??? Sheltered life showing again !!
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Mart....made me laugh so hard it hurt! I agree!!!
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Mart....made me laugh so hard it hurt! I agree!!!
you agree...that it could be??...or that you too led a sheltered life?...its either one or the other... ;D
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Ummm... I won't get into whether I led a sheltered life or not, ;D but, there's one thing that raises a question for me on this topic: Only one end of the handle, if you will, is open, the other end which would be the mouthpiece is firmly sealed and appears to be in its original state. So, I'm trying to figure out how one would inhale.
Mart....made me laugh so hard it hurt! I agree!!!
you agree...that it could be??...or that you too led a sheltered life?...its either one or the other... ;D
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I researched smoking opium for a book. The pipe requires a porcelain knob-like piece, where the glob of opium is melted over a glass heat lamp. It's definitely not that. You can see some examples here: http://www.opiummuseum.com/ (http://www.opiummuseum.com/)
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I didn't see the link that you just provided which is a good one - history, explanations, pics, et cetera. Well that solves that mystery! Thanks! On to more possibilities/research... (my eyes are getting weary from the "hunt" and dealing with this computer which is "acting up" - open up a site and then the site closes. I just updated my firewall - probably has something to do with that.) Anyway - thanks again for your time!
I researched smoking opium for a book. The pipe requires a porcelain knob-like piece, where the glob of opium is melted over a glass heat lamp. It's definitely not that. You can see some examples here: http://www.opiummuseum.com/ (http://www.opiummuseum.com/)
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Well... a few moments ago I just received a response from an individual who's site I landed on who purchases and sells nothing but opium paraphernalia and other related items - yes I know that doesn't necessarily mean he's the expert of all experts. Nevertheless here's his reply: "This item is definiately not an opium pipe or tool. It is high quality and looks like a wealthy persons bed warmer that coals would be placed in. What ever it really is. It is very well made." :-\ ::) ???
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well there you are then...had all the relevant info been placed before us at the start..instead of in dribs & drabs....speculatio n as to what this was would have been limited....to,."its a bed warmer,for now long dead rich aristocrats...but now it hangs on a wall :D
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I posed the question to this individual this morning after the possibility of this item being an opium pipe was raised which would not constitute "relavent info... placed before us at the start instead of dribs and drabs." I am and have been following this site's generous and quick leads by digging further; I am not sitting here twiddling my thumbs waiting for an answer, of which, I still do not know what exactly this item is; I merely obtained an additional possibility as you and others have so kindly and generously given. Lastly, the only information that I had from the git-go was - nothing other than it being oriental in nature. Therefore I posted 21 additional photographs and many measurements on this site...
well there you are then...had all the relevant info been placed before us at the start..instead of in dribs & drabs....speculatio n as to what this was would have been limited....to,."its a bed warmer,for now long dead rich aristocrats...but now it hangs on a wall :D
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I FOUND ONE!!! ;D It is a Chinese ladle, according to this site, but I'm not sure they are right. Why put a lid on a ladle? The item above is a silk iron, (you put coals in the bowl and iron delicate silks) which I was wondering if it might be possible that this was a silk iron.
http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/3656948 (http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/3656948)
(http://p2.la-img.com/255/12777/3656948_1_l.jpg)
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and there are two types of silk irons, one of them is lidded. (See below) I am betting dollars to doughnuts you've got a Chinese silk iron.
(http://galleryplus.ebayimg.com/ws/web/181030517442_1_0_1.jpg)
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Mart....made me laugh so hard it hurt! I agree!!!
you agree...that it could be??...or that you too led a sheltered life?...its either one or the other... ;D
LOL !! Meaning I am a simple country girl !! Where does the opium go in and where would it come out ?? When my drug of choice is a cold beer on a hot day,, you just have to lay it out for me !!
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OH MY GOSH! The item below is nearly exactly what my friend has!!!! Am wondering about the ladle aspect of it and just perhaps its really a silk iron. Ha!
I FOUND ONE!!! ;D It is a Chinese ladle, according to this site, but I'm not sure they are right. Why put a lid on a ladle? The item above is a silk iron, (you put coals in the bowl and iron delicate silks) which I was wondering if it might be possible that this was a silk iron.
http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/3656948 (http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/3656948)
(http://p2.la-img.com/255/12777/3656948_1_l.jpg)
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Tales got it !! Excellent !!! Now that you told what it is ,, didn`t we have another like the top one a while back that we mulled over for days ??? Anyone remember ???
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Yes, a few years back we had a silk iron like the one on top come up.
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Thought so !! Don`t know why I didn`t remember that fact when this was first posted !! Getting old I guess !!
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It took me a day or two of looking at it to think of silk irons too!
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I would like to thank you, Tales, and all who were involved in resolving the mystery of this piece. You've been great! :)