Inkipedia

Chinese Man Smoking

Categories Ceramics/Porcelain Figural, Far East / Oriental
Material Porcelain
Markings See narrative
Manufacturer Undetermined
Origin Germany
Date or Era circa 1920
Measuring 3 ¾” x 3 ½” x 5” tall

An Oriental man with a Fu Manchu mustache and a pigtail braid, sits in a meditative stance with his hands folded while smoking an opium pipe. Molded onto the back edge of the base are the numbers 6057. The piece is marked “Germany” on the underside.

This inkwell is one of a series – characters with wide bottoms and a lift off top to reveal the ink pot.  The head (top) has a hole to hold a pen. All were made in Germany.

Estimated value: $75

Sold for $125 in July 2024

Sold for $163 in August 2025

Content disclaimer. The information posted is the owner’s best knowledge and may not have been vetted by the SOIC. We welcome comments, corrections, and additions, working to make our website information comprehensive and accurate.

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