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I purchased this very interesting piece in Hai Phong Vietnam last week for a little over $100. I had a colleague that was originally from China and she read the characters on the bottom and she indicated it is Qing Dynasty Guangxu period.
It is obviously a water pipe for opium..It is really pristine condition.
Can I get some feedback as to whether or not I need insure the hell out of this great little piece?

I tried to get better lighting and angle to better convey the beauty of this little gem.

I hate to say it, but I think they saw you coming!

I have seen dozens of these so-called 'opium pipes' in import/decorator stores and markets in Sydney, Australia, and in other cities. They are a great Vietnamese export item as they are small, look good and may have an interesting past.

None here were anything like $100 each. Most probably less than $20. And that's Australian dollars which are currently worth about 75 US cents.

Did you not consider that the reason it was in pristine condition was because it was brand new?

Mikeoz,
I am no bumpkin that fell of the tourist bus..I have traveled and lived in Asia for years.
Not on here to get your smug attitude just information.

I found it in a little hole in the wall tea shop that NO westerner would have gone into. It was in a little hutch and they didn't want to sell it.

There is staining in the porcelain, lots of staining inside, due to use, and the metal on the top shows considerable patina and there are layers of residue on the lid.

I have added more images.
If in the end it is a worthless little piece of ceramic I don't care. I like it and that is all that matters.

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