Sold for A$160
Original Chinese Opium Pipe from Mongarlowe Diggings near Braidwood, NSW. Chinese Opium Original Chinese Opium Pipe from Mongarlowe Diggings near Braidwood, NSW. 197 mm. 1860s
Excellent. This was apparently traded to a local storekeeper from a member of the Chinese community in country NSW many years ago. It was a hand me down from their ancestors who worked the Mongarlowe Reef. Until 1906, opium was legal in Australia. The mouth pieces have Chinese characters on them, these apparently signify longevity, happiness and prosperity. There may have been something on top of the long stem which is no longer in place, not sure what this would have been. The copper is a little discoloured throughout with some surface "Corrosion". Some scratches to be found. Just a wonderful piece of early Chinese history. Grade: N/A Estimate: $100 - 150
