Chinese Ivory Scrimshaw Opium Pipe

This horn shaped ivory piece is in fact an old opium pipe. The ivory itself is decorated with the scrimshaw technique depicting a number of farmers leading livestock through a natural scene of trees and mountains. Both ends of the pipe are covered with metal caps intricately decorated with dragon motifs. At the thicker end of the horn is a metal cover and plug from where the opium would have been inhaled. The pipe has a small red stamp. The piece comes with a simple wooden display stand.