© Image courtesy of National Museums NI

B009759.5: Two Traditional Chinese Opium Pipes

Two large opium pipes. The stem is made from wood, probably bamboo and has a metal saddle. One pipe has a Chinese character inscribed under the metal saddle. Opium had long been valued in China as a medicine that could ease pain, assist sleep and reduce stress. By the mid 19th century however, there were millions of addicts across the country, largely sustained by illegal British imports from India. The Chinese were keen to put a stop to the imports and destroy the stocks of opium. This caused outrage among the British, and was the spark that ignited the Opium Wars during the mid-19th century.

“If you want to see the underlying cause of China’s – and indeed much of Asia’s – conflicts of the last several centuries, look no further than opium. When used in the right capacity, it has had a profoundly positive effect on modern medicine. But along with that has come many social ills, including addiction, drug trafficking and wars. And unfortunately, these ill effects now span far beyond China’s borders. Still, it is a very interesting piece of history that we are better off learning than shying away from.”

Stephen Lam, Project Participant

Take the 3D Tour