History of the Dragon Claw

[The Amish Tyrant]

I'm curious how the dragon claw became a common theme and design for meerschaum pipes. While they don't necessarily catch my eye to own, I do like the design.

I tried searching online for the history, but came up relatively dry.

Any thoughts?

 

[solideogloria86]

I'm curious how the dragon claw became a common theme and design for meerschaum pipes. While they don't necessarily catch my eye to own, I do like the design.

I tried searching online for the history, but came up relatively dry.

Any thoughts?

I would say it's closely related to Ball and Claw carvings on furniture, which most likely originated in China.

 

[solideogloria86]

Furniture Design: Ball & Claw Motif

Almost all historical sources believe that the Ball & Claw design was derived from the Chinese: a dragon’s claw grasping a crystal ball, or a pearl, or sometimes a scared, flaming jewel. In Chinese mythology, the dragon (Emperor) would be guarding (with the triple claw foot) the symbol (ball -...

www.furniturelibrary.com

 

[Chasing Embers]

Most aren't even dragon claws, they're raptor and eagle talons hence the feathers. The egg shape lends itself to a pipe very well and seeing an eagle or other bird of pray clutching an egg isn't out of the realm of possibility.

 

[bullet08]

Opium Pipe with bigger bowl?

 

[warren]

I've no idea but, they are ubiquitous, very popular. I've not had one catch my eye though. I do have a hand holding an egg, one of my older pipes.

 

[OverMountain]

Never knew the connection went so far back!

 

[The Amish Tyrant]

I would say it's closely related to Ball and Claw carvings on furniture, which most likely originated in China.

Furniture Design: Ball & Claw Motif

Almost all historical sources believe that the Ball & Claw design was derived from the Chinese: a dragon’s claw grasping a crystal ball, or a pearl, or sometimes a scared, flaming jewel. In Chinese mythology, the dragon (Emperor) would be guarding (with the triple claw foot) the symbol (ball -...

www.furniturelibrary.com

I never would have guessed needing to review furniture design history to come up with the answer. Thank you.

And the raptor or eagle talons clutching an egg just makes sense.

 

[Swiss Army Knife]

I've also wondered this, same for the "hand holding an object" style Meers which I'm more partial to.

 

[drayve85]

It goes back quite a long time. I read an article on this site, if I remember correctly, about Jefferson Davis having a beautiful, well-colored claw and egg pipe.

 

[anotherbob]

Somethings are just cool. Somethings are just timeless.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I'm pretty sure that those dragon pipes go back in history to when the revolutionary war soldiers to break the monotony of war, set around a table and rolled dice to pretend to be elves and trolls... because girls wouldn't talk to them.

 

[Hillcrest]

I'm pretty sure that those dragon pipes go back in history to when the revolutionary war soldiers to break the monotony of war, set around a table and rolled dice to pretend to be elves and trolls... because girls wouldn't talk to them.
View attachment 175839

Might I remind you ... And Dwarfes ! Sir !

 

[Chasing Embers]

It goes back quite a long time. I read an article on this site, if I remember correctly, about Jefferson Davis having a beautiful, well-colored claw and egg pipe.

 

[condorlover1]

@Chasing Embers : That was true. Jeff had a pipe given to him by his Doctor whilst in custody at that prison after the Souths surrender. I think it got knicked sometime in the 1970s and then returned if I remember the story correctly. I wonder if Jeff smoked Captain Black grape?

 

[The Amish Tyrant]

View attachment 176357

@Chasing Embers : That was true. Jeff had a pipe given to him by his Doctor whilst in custody at that prison after the Souths surrender. I think it got knicked sometime in the 1970s and then returned if I remember the story correctly. I wonder if Jeff smoked Captain Black grape?

I love this sort of trivia and seeing pipes of famous people (and knowing their poisons of choice). Thank you both.

@condorlover1 mind showing your Jack the Ripper detective pipe?

 

[condorlover1]

@The Amish Tyrant: It is on here somewhere I think otherwise I can pull it out and shoot a picture if you want.

 

[condorlover1]

I also have the one from the Kentucky Derby winner as well if you want that one as well.

 

[condorlover1]

@The Amish Tyrant: Weezell has the meerschaum from the civil war illustrator from the Illustrated London News. These are the only famous pipes I know about.

 

[The Amish Tyrant]

@The Amish Tyrant: It is on here somewhere I think otherwise I can pull it out and shoot a picture if you want.

No worries if you don't have one handy. I'll search the forum and appreciate the offer.