Meerschaum in the Rough and at Its’ Finest

[gatorlope]

I’ve been collecting meerschaum pipes for about 50 years... Even when I didn’t smoke!

I’ve always appreciated the skill and creativity that goes into making a good meerschaum.

Be they naughty or nice (everybody’s at least 18 here, right?), I’d like to share what I have and see some of your treasures as well!

 

[gatorlope]

One of the artists that I’ve bought directly from in Eskisehir, Turkey was kind enough to include a piece of the raw material, just as it is when it comes out of the mines.

 

[cortezattic]

I like figural meers. I don't have too many because I want a reasonable shot at seeing them color-up during my lifetime (or what's left of it).
Bağlan's Shakespeare

Medet's Santa Claus

Medet's Cavalier

No-name

Tekin

 

[gatorlope]

I believe that this pipe once belonged to Tsar Nicholas - the pipe carver’s equivalent of a Faberge Egg! It’s an amazing example of what can be done with the material!

I’m sure that it’s in a museum somewhere... Frankly, I’ve had that picture for decades and have no idea what collection it might be in or even who to give photo credits to, although that might be researchable these days.

 

[gatorlope]

Funny thing is that I’ve been a non smoker most of my life, but now that I’ve retired successfully, things change.

I’ve grown up and lived with a disability that made me doubt that I’d ever get old enough to retire, so now I’m going to enjoy more of the things that life has to offer!

 

[ophiuchus]

I believe that this pipe once belonged to Tsar Nicholas - the pipe carver’s equivalent of a Faberge Egg! It’s an amazing example of what can be done with the material!

8O -Wow! That's just stunning!

 

[jazz]

Exquisite. I'd like to see that in more detail.

 

[balkisobrains]

"Right click" - "Search Google for image" gave me this:
http://tobaccopipeartistory.blogspot.com/2012/05/worlds-fair-weltausstellung-vienna-1873.html
:puffpipe:

 

[gatorlope]

going from Tsar Nicholas to Kaiser Bill!

Unsigned, but well done Tinder Box edition. I don’t know if they ever limited it or not, but that metal wind cap was perfect for it!

 

[jazz]

"Right click" - "Search Google for image" gave me this:

Thank you. What a thing! When I see something like that, mankind truly impresses me. It's a thing of staggering beauty to me. Engineering and architecture have a similar effect.

 

[gatorlope]

Thank you for finding some history for us! Even my wife will take an interest once I tell her that there’s a diamond in there! :clap:

 

[gatorlope]

This young lady is from somewhere in that same era...

A small pipe, actually- maybe you could fit your pinky in the bowl... but beautiful detail and the ribbons fluttering from the back of her hat to the stem are nearly paper thin - and still intact!

I found her in an antique shop on Grand Cayman. They told me they wanted $300.00 for her - more than I had ever spent on a pipe! I didn’ hesitate!
The only hint as to her origin is a coat of arms done in gold inside the case she came in, braced by a pair of gryphons rampant.

 

[gatorlope]

That she was much loved and well used seems obvious in the coloring of the pipe.
This is the coat of arms from inside the case... Hard to see, I know.

 

[brian64]

I believe that this pipe once belonged to Tsar Nicholas - the pipe carver’s equivalent of a Faberge Egg! It’s an amazing example of what can be done with the material!
I’m sure that it’s in a museum somewhere...

"Right click" - "Search Google for image" gave me this:
http://tobaccopipeartistory.blogspot.com/2012/05/worlds-fair-weltausstellung-vienna-1873.html

Amazing, incredible carving. I don't recall seeing that one before.
I'm relieved to see that it has apparently been preserved and supposedly is indeed in a museum.

 

[jpmcwjr]

This is from the website noted above. Stunning detail.

 

[gatorlope]

Hmmm... 1873?

That means that they didn’t have any electrical either... No drills, grinders or buffers except for what they could do by hand or with relatively simple machinery!

 

[gatorlope]

These are i Bekler pipes from the 1970’s... they sold for between $250 and $300 at the time and frankly, I couldn’t afford them. It was my good fortune that no one else could either and I was able to acquire them when the pipe shop went out of business a few years later. I’ve still got them and they’ve never been smoked.

 

[mikethompson]

A very nice collection of Meers! When I was first scrolling through I thought that Tsar Nicholas one was yours too!

 

[jpmcwjr]

Neptune on the left? No idea of the woman or man on the right.

 

[gatorlope]

Thanks, Mike!

Probably your second thought was something like, “Where in Hell’s half acre did he find THAT?”
No, that’s a national treasure and a museum piece. Right where it belongs!