No reserve price - Pipe - Bamboo, nickel silver

A fine example of a traditional Japanese Rau-style kiseru (煙管) tobacco pipe, dating to the Meiji or Taisho period, circa 1900–1930. The pipe is constructed in three parts: a curved bowl and shank (雁首, gan-kubi, meaning "gooseneck"), a natural bamboo stem, and a tapered mouthpiece (吸い口, sui-kuchi). This three-part Rau construction is the classic form of the kiseru.
The two metal fittings are made of polished nickel silver (白銅, hakudō) — a copper, zinc and nickel alloy widely used in Japanese pipe-making from the Meiji period onward. The metal displays a high mirror polish on the main surfaces with characteristic grey oxidation settled into the engraved recesses, which is typical of aged nickel silver and confirms the piece has not been over-cleaned. This natural patina adds to the authenticity and collectability of the pipe. The pipe is non-magnetic.
The lower collar fitting is engraved with a delicate floral motif, consistent with plum blossom (梅, ume) decoration — a traditional Japanese symbol of perseverance and good fortune, and a very popular design in Meiji-era metalwork. There are also faint markings on the shank that may be kanji characters or a maker's mark, adding further interest for collectors and researchers.
The stem is natural bamboo (竹, take), displaying a warm honey-amber colour with fine grain lines, consistent with 80–120 years of age. The bamboo has been lacquered or treated to bring out its natural lustre, as was traditional practice.
Dimensions: 20cm length x 1cm diameter
Weight: 38 grams
Condition: Good antique condition. Metal retains strong polish with age-appropriate grey oxidation in engraved areas. Bamboo stem intact with no cracks. A desirable and displayable example.
Kiseru were the primary smoking implement in Japan from the Edo period until cigarettes became widespread after the Meiji Restoration of 1868. They remained popular among traditionalists and rural communities well into the 20th century. By the 1920s only a few hundred artisans were still producing them, making surviving examples from this era increasingly sought after by collectors of Japanese antiques and tobacciana worldwide.
"The shank bears hand-engraved kanji characters, likely a maker's signature or workshop mark — a feature associated with higher-quality artisan pieces of the Meiji period. The exact reading is partially obscured by the curved surface but appears to include characters consistent with a place name or craftsman's name."
A wonderful piece for collectors of Japanese antiques, Meiji-era decorative arts, or smoking memorabilia.