Bronze Opium Smoker

Rare bronze depicting an opium smoker in action. Cast in a very yellow copper alloy, closer to brass, it is of Indochinese origin and dates from the French colonial period.
The scene is very accurate and well documented. The character leaning on his case is very precisely rolling a pellet on his pipe's bowl with the needle (simply suggested as too thin to be cast). In front of him on the tray, in addition to the lamp, are: opium box, dross box, scissors for adjusting the wick, bowl cleaner and, of course, the inevitable teapot...
Very good condition.
Base dimensions: 187 x 135 mm. Weight: 1555 g.

Reference: D. & F. Delalande, 2011: "Mémoires d'Opiums", p. 125 (last photo).

950 €