Spherical Opium Pipe Appraisal

Vintage Spherical Opium Pipe with Wood and Brass Accents

This is a vintage Southeast Asian style smoking pipe, commonly associated with the consumption of opium or traditional tobacco. The object features a distinctive spherical bowl, likely crafted from a nut shell, carved wood, or possibly a dense clay, finished in a deep russet brown. A small, tapered brass insertion point is seated at the top of the sphere to hold the smoking material. The stem is composed of a light-grained wood, possibly bamboo or a similar hardwood, which is connected to the bowl via a secure friction fit. The mouthpiece end is finished with a cylindrical brass ferrule that serves as the bit. In terms of condition, the piece shows significant signs of age and use; the brass components exhibit a dark, heavy patina with oxidation blooms, particularly near the bowl. The wooden stem appears dry with minor surface abrasions, and the spherical base shows mottled discoloration and light scuffing throughout its surface. There are no visible maker's marks or signatures, which is common for such folk-art or utilitarian items. The craftsmanship is functional but rustic, suggesting an age ranging from the mid-20th century or earlier. The overall length appears to be approximately 6 to 8 inches.