This wonderful antique Chinese pipe is fitted with white brass fittings on the two ends. The body of the pipe is “piled-lacquered” (over wood) with thick layers of red, yellow and black lacquer, then, hand-sanded with special stone tools to a smooth perfection, thus, creating a luscious effect of a surface with colors in intricate regular and irregular patterns, called “Xi-Pi” (Western Surface or Rhinoceros Surface). The origin of the term is unknown, perhaps it has to do with the style of technique being from Middle Asia or Middle-East. “Pi” means skin.

Although objects with Xi-Pi were created during Tang and Song Dynasty, today we don't often see old Chinese objects made with Xi-Pi style lacquer work outside of museums. The colors and patterns are so beautiful and unique like that of an incredible sunset or an abstract painting.

The white brass is a more costly metal than yellow brass as the components of the white brass include nickle and silver. Although the majority of the old Chinese furniture pieces were often fitted with yellow brass for fittings, occasionally we do find older or finer furniture pieces that have the white brass fitting.

The lacquer colors used here are made from different minerals after the processes or partial processes of being crushed, cooked, screened, refined, and dried before being used as colors. (See detailed photos for close-up for colors)

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