Antique Chinese Opium Accessories: Dross Box, Silver Mixing Spoon. Two very beautiful and aesthetically pleasing Chinese Antique Opium Accessories. Mixing Spoon is comprised of multiple materials with ornate decorations carved into the metal. Handle has a wonderful patina from extensive use and is most likely a type of material the Chinese used in higher class items during the 1700 and 1800 hundreds. The end of the handle is Silver with flower pattern etched into the end. The base of the Handle has 3 rows of Sho symbols in Silver encompassing the handle. The bowl portion is likely a silver alloy with a face carving on the underside. This spoon was likely used to “cook” liquid opium over an opium lamp so that it could be further manipulated and smoked. This spoon has normal condition issues for this old of an item. See pictures for exact condition. It was probably manufactured in the late 1700’s to early 1800’s. Exact date cannot be determined. A small repair is clearly visible on the side of the box. See pictures for exact condition of the item. A dross box was used to hold the ash scrapings from inside opium pipes and bowls after their use. Over time, these scrapings were collected and processed for sale or to add to new batches of pure opium. In Chinese culture the bat often represents luck, happiness and good fortune. These items are both beautiful and rare. Most authentic opium items were completely destroyed during the late 1800’s and 1900’s during eradication campaigns occurring in China as well as the rest of the world. Only a relatively small portion of these items made it through these eradication campaigns, and are therefore highly prized and collectible. This item is in the category “Antiques\Asian Antiques\China\Other Chinese Antiques”. The seller is “chinesecuriosities” and is located in this country: US. This item can be shipped to United States.
- Primary Material: Brass
- Region of Origin: China