Pipe, 20th Century
Miao culture; China
Bamboo and brass; 15 1/4 × 5 × 3 7/8 in.
2020.8.33a,b…

Water Pipe

ClassificationsTools and Equipment-smoking equipment-pipes & pipe components

Culture Miao

Date20th Century

Made AtChina, Asia

MediumBamboo and brass

Dimensionsa,b: 15 1/4 × 5 × 3 7/8 in. (38.7 × 12.7 × 9.8 cm)
b, stem only: 1/2 × 10 5/8 in. (1.3 × 27 cm)

Credit LineAnonymous Gift

Object number2020.8.33a,b

DescriptionThis is a tobacco pipe from the Miao people of China. Tobacco was introduced to the Miao through trade shortly after its arrival in China in 1612. Mostly due to the environmental conditions of where the Miao live, tobacco is still traded for rather than grown by most Miao groups. Given the prevalence of bamboo in China and that it is already hollow it was a common medium for pipes. The natural qualities of bamboo helped longer pipes mellow the flavor of tobacco.

On View

Not on view

Collections