HISTORY OF OPIUM

Use of opium dates back further than there is history. Throughout the history most nations and cultures have used opium and designed different methods for feeling its effects. The direct vaporisation technique is still the most widely used by smokers today.

In the Persian tradition a pipe was developed called Vafoor . The pipe stem was made of wood and was about 30cm long , one end open and the other end sealed to a ceramic bowl ( hogheh ) was inserted approximately six inches from the open end and attached to the pipe by a connecting flange and copper saddle. The ceramic bowl was usually either left plain or had a simple decorative design, and had a very small hole on one side through which the opium vapour could be drawn.

A typical opium smoking session involved placing a drop of the dark brown substance on the face of the ceramic bowl and holding a piece of hot charcoal with large tweezers close enough over the opium to heat it to bubbling point, without ever touching the opium or pot. As it bubbles and creates smoke the vapour passes through the small hole into the pipe to the smokers' mouth.

All our pipes are hand-made, engraved, carved and inlayed by experts, using the finest quality woods, metals and semi-precious stones available. We use polished brass and sterling 925 silver.

As each one is hand made from start to finish, there are never two the same. Some are one of a kind designed by different artists for particular commissions.

For more information or to buy please visit our Sales Centre in Bayswater Queensway:

Ganjamania Ltd
23 Queensway
London
W2 4QJ