Exquisitely Detailed Opium Lamp for Translation Assistance, etc, Please

The 3 panels with turquoise enamel are probably linked to 3 other panels (not fully shown, but alternatively placed around the hex base). Where the sequence begins s a mystery...as is their content/meaning.

The pierced ~2⅜" draft-ring is extremely finely worked...and under close examination with a loupe shows every niche, corner and crevice crammed with the black soil from many decades of use in an opium parlor. I believe it is a machined casting, but am loath to attempt the cleaning necessary for confirmation of that...Patina, y'know?

The signature may not be legible...but any help will be gratefully acknowledged! More pics on demand...Warren

 

no idea, but I like it !

 

Thanks, all!

When I know a wee bit more about it, I'll list it on eBay...an' let y'all know about it here. wlw

 

Chinese export mark,.might want to test if it is silver?

 

Could be, I guess...you mean the mark on the base?

There's no Silver; the thing is brass (or bronze), and Nickel-Silver...known as Paktong in most of Asia, and enamel.

Thanks for the post, Sdcookie! Warren

 

It's missing the chimney...

 

Yup! Thanks for noticing...I might have missed that.

 

I am now the proud owner of this beautiful lamp. Made of paktong. Not sure the open metal work was machine casting or chiseled. Well made though. Will fit it with a replacement glass chimney to make it more complete. A well made example of this kind of paktong lamp.

 

Nice!!!

 

Very very nice!!

 

I have since deciphered the words inscribed on the three panels in the lamp base
一片冰心在玉壺
雪滿山中高士臥
月明林下美人來
These are all taken from two classical poems from the Tang Dynasty
The first line translates to "a chilled heart hidden inside a jade jar"
The second and third line came from a poem which described a branch of blooming plum flower in the snow and suggested it resembled a hermit lying on a snow mountain and under the moonlight, saw a beautiful lady dancing.

 

Wonderful opium lamp! How did you found the chimney? So often missing and very hard to complete...

 

I have access to a craftsman who can make replacement glass chimneys.