Antique bronze pipe from Nepal. A straight, conical pipe such as this is known as 'chillum'. Their origin can be traced back at least a few hundred years in India and Nepal, with a first written account in English about them in the 18th century. In India and Nepal, the chillum is the traditional pipe of the sadhu, the Hinduist ascetics or yogi's, who use is mostly for smoking ganja.
A chillum, packed with ganja, hashish or tobacco, is smoked by cupping both hands around the smallest ending of the pipe and inhaling through a gap between thumb and forefinger. Thus the chillum itself never touches the mouth directly.
Traditionally chillum pipes were made of clay, but with their use spreading all over the world, nowadays also versions of stone, metal, wood and glass can be found.
Today the chillum is mostly popular among the 'stoners'; people who enjoy recreational use of marihuana. Tho also ritual usage can nowadays still be found; for example among the Rastafari community and of course also still in the Himalayan regions where the chillum originated.
This chillum comes from Nepal and is an antique one. It has been made of bronze, using the 'lost wax' casting method. The bronze has gained a beautiful dark color and aged patina over time.
Sizes; approximately 83 millimeters long and 77 grams weight. Diameter of the opening at the biggest end is 25 millimeters, and 9 millimeters at the smallest end.
Only one available.
