{"product_id":"wrought-iron-opium-retort","title":"Wrought Iron Opium Retort From Rajasthan - 19th Century","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis old Indian iron opium retort (or hemp filter) was used for filtering raw opium through a cotton bag. It dates to the 19th century and would have been part of Rajasthani traditional opium consumption. The iron is delicately etched and features a small Nandi Bull incorporated into its design. \u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe Nandi bull is a symbol of Lord Shiva. Cows are still revered and continue to wander the streets in India.\u003c\/span\u003eThese were hand-wrought by Lohar blacksmiths in Rajasthan. These stands would have filtered the opium water which would then have been drunk. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eAlthough opium is no longer used in the same way, these pieces still make unusual unique ornaments that come complete with a fascinating social history.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReferences: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eFor a similar example see page 39 of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eMuseums of India 'National Handicrafts \u0026amp; Handlooms Museum New Delhi'\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e by Jyotindra Jain \u0026amp; Aarti Aggarwala. Note that the book misidentifies this as a lamp stand. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eA similar example can be found in \u003cem\u003eUnknown Masterpieces of Indian Folk \u0026amp; Tribal Art\u003c\/em\u003e by S Aryan \u0026amp; B.N. Aryan, fig 352. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom India\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUK Delivery Charge - except Highlands \u0026amp; Islands £15\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMore delivery options available on checkout\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BinderKing","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53551721251125,"sku":"A01710","price":227.8,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1012\/5243\/2181\/files\/A01710.jpg?v=1789234438","url":"https:\/\/binderking.shop\/products\/wrought-iron-opium-retort","provider":"BinderKing","version":"1.0","type":"link"}