This is an antique water pipe that I acquire from an antique shop in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

It is made from bone. Not sure which bone that is.

It has Chinese writings on the bone. Can anyone tell me what the writing says? It also depicts a figure of a Chinese man.

There are also mountains and grasses depicted on the bone. And the ink is coloured too, I think green and red.

I think the chain links the small stick – I am not sure what the purpose of the small stick. Maybe as a key or to lock the lid?

There is also the bigger stick, which I am not entirely sure what the function is. Is it for the suction?

I think water pipe is to smoke shabu – which is quite popular in Chinese community back then.

I acquired this water pipe at Moesson Antik in Yogyakarta. Please see here for my Yogyakarta experience.

The seller told me that this piece probably is from 1900 or late 19th century.

The seller told me that the owner acquire this piece from an Indonesian in Sumatra. So I would like to assume that this piece probably is used by the Chinese-Indonesian in Sumatra in the late 19th century.

You can tell that this piece has been used. It is quite worn in some parts.

There are writings too at the bottom.

Maybe there are Chinese marks at the bottom?