Description
Pipe consists of a bowl made of brass with an inset of a white
porcelain and lead? or zinc? rim. It is conical in shape and shows two
rectangular white fields (porcelain) horizontally inset on either side
of pipe.
The bottom of bowl is closed with the same grey metal which has been
stamped with a pattern. Halfway in the middle of the bowl the pipe stem
is attached and is narrow with two bands of grooved brass ringing the
middle of the stem. The small hole at the end of the stem has a rounded
ring around the opening.
Use:
Traditional Nuosu man's pipe, usually carried on one's person. It is
used by older people for smoking local tobaccos. Dry tobacco leaves are
rubbed into tiny pieces and then put into the pipe bowl by pressing the
leaves tightly with the thumb. The smoker lights the pipe with a match
and breathes in smoke from the stem.
