I am pretty certain this pipe bowl is 19th century meerschaum (meerschaum is a soft mineral called sepiolite, found in Europe, often carved into smoking pipes and other decorative objects) but the patina on it (if unsmoked it would appear white) is so dark (deeper than I have ever seen before), it is a bit hard to tell. And it is that near blackening from use, and the softening of the features from handling, and the wired repairs to the sides, that make it an extraordinary object to me, from the center of which these black glass eyes gaze forth, with serious intensity. There is a lot one could write about this one, which appears to represent an African face and feels as full of soul as just about any object I've had in my possession, but I think it speaks quite powerfully for itself.
2" l x 1 1/2" t. 1 to 1 1/4" d at bowl. Wear, blackening, repairs, crustiness, etc all as evident, and all very much what make it extraordinary.
You might also like
