H250xW90xD30mm, China
Tobacco has been introduced to China in the Ming dynasty; imported from the Philippines, Japan and locally from Fu Jian. Water pipe has been a popular pass time in the Qing dynasty. Empress Dowager Ci Xi is a lover of the water pipe and a has a large collection. This is a peasant’s water pipe, made with bamboo as a material; the bamboo are natural in its smooth finish and in the shape, true to nature without any alteration. The fancy type will be made of copper-nickel, copper, bronze, pewter with the mouth piece with jade or agate. The Chinese believed that water is a good filter for the impurity and toxin of the tobacco. However, the water is not changed often, after a while the water are filled with tar and becomes gluey (and possibly toxic), peasants will apply a few drop to ticks which would let go of their bite, the ticks will drop off instantly.
TOBACCO SERIOUSLY DAMAGES HEALTH
Mountain Folkcraft 