Wrought Iron Opium Retort From Jaisalmer - 19th Century Style - Meiping Vase coastal or country interiors

coastal or country interiors

creating a richly textured surface that reflects generations of use and exposure

The top has worn with time

The bottom layer has a compartmentalised drawer

This antique Chinese sideboard is an excellent early to mid Qing dynasty (1644 - 1911) sideboard from Shanxi province

Wrought Iron Opium Retort From Jaisalmer - 19th Century Style - Meiping Vase coastal or country interiorsThis old Indian iron opium retort (or hemp filter) was used for filtering raw opium water through a cotton bag. It dates to the 19th century and would have been part of Rajasthani traditional opium consumption. The iron stand is delicately etched and has a central pagoda sheltering a nandi bull. The Nandi bull is a symbol of Lord Shiva. A stylised naga or snake sits above the ring which would once have held a cotton bag. These stands were hand wrought