Vietnamese silver Pipe 21.02.549
Even if often called opium pipes, these pipes seems rather to be used for tobacco or cannabis resin. the present pipe can be attributed to the Hmong hill tribe people living in the mountains of Phongsali, this tobacco pipe is elegantly fashioned from silver. The Hmong are a strongly independent mountain dwelling people found throughout Southeast Asia and southern China. They are renowned for their silversmith skills and unique aesthetic as seen in the distinct designs found in their jewelry, textiles and pipes. They were the first hill tribe group to successfully cultivate opium and have a penchant for silver.