A FAMILLE ROSE OPIUM PIPE,...

A FAMILLE ROSE OPIUM PIPE, late 19th century, of cylindrical form, with coiled dragon in iron red and enamelled with scattered clouds with trellis banding to each end, 58cm long

Opium as a medicinal ingredient was documented in Chinese texts dating back as early as the Tang Dynasty, but the recreational use of the substance was limited. Similar to India, it was introduced to the country by Arab merchants, initially as dried powder often drunk with tea.

However, as the opium trade grew, particularly due to competition with British trading from their colonies in India, the use of the drug became more widespread. The first restrictions were introduced by the Qing in 1729 when he introduced a ban on Madak, a mixture of blended opium and tobacco. British ships began to import opium into the country, something the Qing Dynasty initially tolerated as it created an indirect tax on Chinese subjects, as increasing the silver supply available to foreign merchants through the sale of opium encouraged Europeans to spend more money on Chinese goods.

The recreational use of opium continued to grow in China and it began to affect the stability of the society. Unlike Chinese society at the time, it was not prejudiced based on rank, it affected all members of society. These two lots in the sale illustrated how prolific its use had become by the 19th century with the provision in decorative objects which could be used to enhance the experience. A chair, equipped with scrollwork neck rest and a finely painted famille rose porcelain pipe. During the heyday of opium smoking, hundreds of tools were crafted specifically for the preparation, vaporizing, and ingestion of the drug.