Antique Metal Chinese PAKTONG BAITONG Water Pipe hookah

Description

ANTIQUE METAL CHINESE PAKTONG BAITONG SMOKING WATER PIPE
Smoking waterpipe was a common thing among the Chinese during the 19th and early 20th century. Many people smoked tobacco with pipes like this. The whole pipe is well made of ‘Paktong’ or by the Chinese named ‘Baitong’.
The small metal water pipe is placed in a box and accompanied by a tobacco jar and all utensils for smoking: a needle, a brush and a tweezer. The metal is normally paktong, (Chinese silver with a high nickel alloy), sometimes embellished with enamel cloisonné or shagreen.
History:
Nickel silver was first known and used in China. During the Qing dynasty, it was "smuggled into various parts of the East Indies", despite a government ban on the export of nickel silver. It became known in the West from imported wares called baitong (Mandarin) or paktong (Cantonese) (
白
銅
, literally "white copper"), for which the silvery metal color was used to imitate sterling silver. According to Berthold Laufer, it was identical to khar sini, one of the seven metals recognized by Jābir ibn Hayyān.
In Europe, consequently, it was at first called paktong, which is about the way baitong is pronounced in the Cantonese dialect.
Engraved symbols on attachment but no marks on waterpipe. Missing brush attachment and tweezer but will not make this unusable. Not tested so selling as is without cleaning, only lightly dusted. Please take a moment to review all photos as an important part of condition and description. More photos available upon request. If any question or concern, please do not hesitate to ask!
Please see all photos as an important part of condition and description.
Great Gift Idea!!
🎁
Great piece to add to your collection!!
What you see in photos is what you get, No more no less.
Please keep in mind that our items are most often vintage or antique, sometimes many decades or even a century old, so they will show some signs of wear and usage. These are not mint items from the factory (unless we specifically say so). We include in our descriptions any issues that are significant. Items are as is and pictured with only light cleaning/dusting if not otherwise stated. Further cleaning may be needed and is at the buyer's discretion. If you have any concerns, please ask! We want to ensure that your item arrives safely and satisfactorily.
POSTAGE
is expensive, it's even more when you do it the right way. Your item will be carefully wrapped for safe delivery. I recycle, reuse and/or buy used packing materials to keep down costs .. I buy a good grade of packing tape to help keep your package secure BUYER agrees to pay Postal charges when applicable.
We package and ship promptly within one day of receipt of payment. We always ensure items - even large parcels - are securely wrapped in bubble wrap with packing peanuts to ensure added safety.
"International buyers - please note: Import duties, taxes, and charges aren't included in the item price or postage cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. "Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding or buying."
There is tracking on all packages [info is listed on my eBay] - ADDED INSURANCE AVAILABLE (FEE DOES APPLY)
Bidding, Purchasing and Returns
Please review our listings and the item photos carefully before bidding or buying.
If you have any questions, please send an email.
We ask that you kindly consider that when you bid or buy, we, incur costs from eBay, and additionally, our item goes offline and is not visible to other buyers, so if we do not hear from you within five days, we will put in a "Non-Paying Bidder" report with eBay.
Regarding Feedback
Please contact us prior to leaving a neutral or negative feedback, so that we have an opportunity to address and resolve any concerns together.
It is important to us that you are happy with your purchase so please ask questions before you bid or purchase.
😊
We would never intentionally misrepresent anything and try to describe all items to the best of my ability. Most of what I offer is used, vintage or antique and their condition will reflect that.
Potential buyers should do their own research and use their own expertise before bidding.
Thank you for looking!
😊✌