Wrought Iron Opium Retort From Jaisalmer - 19th Century Wine Jar Sadly during the cultural revolution

Sadly during the cultural revolution some beautiful furniture suffered with peoples faces purposely rubbed out

these were used by families to take rice to the Buddhist Temples for offerings or for the resident monks

It's been well used but also cared for so it does show modest signs of wear as well as slight fading at one end most likely due to prolonged sunlight exposure

lustrous blend of deep oxblood red

It is an excellent example of Gansu workmanship with a deep red lacquer and fluid painting and gilt work

Wrought Iron Opium Retort From Jaisalmer - 19th Century Wine Jar Sadly during the cultural revolutionThis 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