Opium Grinder

This cast bronze, boat shaped opium grinder has at one end a linga or the phallus symbol of Shiva placed under a cobra-hood while at the other end is a stylised tiger head. Opium is mixed with water in the grinder and the liquid is taken out through the mouth of the tiger which acts as a gargoyle.
It has been a custom especially among the Rajput hosts of Rajasthan and Gujarat to feed a few drops to the liquid opium to their guests at community ceremonies such as wedding. On such occasion liquid opium is poured into the palm of the host from such a container as this through the tiger’s mouth to feed the guests.