Asia

Home Portfolio

17. Colonial power and opium

Driven by European colonialism, opium smoking had devastating effects on all classes of society in China and neighbouring countries in the 19^th century before it became fashionable among Western intellectuals. Wealthy smokers left the delicate preparation of the opium pipe to the attendants and settled comfortably on a special bed to smoke.

Opium smoker, Java, 1879. Alfred Bertrand collection © MEG Inv. ETHPH 411709

---