SALE MEERSCHAUM Smoking Pipe, Hand Carved Dated 1807, Running Horse

Antiques : Meerschaum Pipe : Hand Carved, Running Horse Image

 

Even if you aren't a pipe smoker you can certainly appreciate the skill of the craftsman that made this pipe. The word Meerschaum comes from the German and translates "Sea Foam". Actually, meerschaum is a form of mined clay made of hydrated magnesium silicate.

The mined material comes from Turkey and parts of Asia. It came into favor by craftsmen in the early 1800's when it was used by only the wealthiest of smokers. Between 1850 and 1925 most meerschaum pipes were made in Berlin, London, Paris, Prague, Venice and Vienna.

The young family I bought this pipe from said it had been in the family for generations and they said their heritage was German.

The pipe has a hardwood stem that has been lacquered, a brass wind cap and incised initials on the wind cap of "IH". The pipe is approximately 4.50" tall and about 4" wide. The actual bowl dept is about 2 inches. The total length of the stem, including the mouth piece is a little over 10 inches. At the top of the stem before the mouth piece there is a band of what appears to be metal or bone. I did not clean this pipe so I am not sure what this band is made of. There has been a strip of scotch tape wrapped around the end of the stem that goes into the pipe. I suppose that was done to help hold the bowl tight to the stem. I don't know the material the mouth piece is made of but it may be amber. There are some stress "cracks" in the mouth piece but it is tight, no wiggle or flexing.

The pipe has been well smoked and has attained a beautiful rich butterscotch color. The buyer of this pipe will own a very early antique meerschaum pipe.

Item ID: 1247