I have been a small time pipe collector and casual pipe smoker for several years but it seems that recently I have discovered a hobby within a hobby. I was in a town called pipestone Min recently and was interdouced to some amazing Native American pipes. The pipes were carved from a soft stone known as catlinte by traditional pipe carvers who come from generations of pipe makers. The bowels are both beautiful and varied as well as the stems. My understanding is that many Native tribes made pipes from a varity of stones, wood, and animal bones. I purchased one pipe but it was a bit expensive. I would like to purchase more but other then what I've written I know very little. Is there by chance anyone out there who shares this hobby who can offer some advice?
Native American Pipes
- Thread starter seawolfe
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Soap stone was a common pipe stone as well. I have made a few from it. Right now I don't have any to get pictures of as they all were gifted to NA friends.
I have also visted Pipestone, its a fascinating place.
There are some nice books about Native American pipes and their use. I would highly recommend The Sacred Pipe: Black Elk's Account of the Seven Rites of the Oglala Sioux by Joseph Epes Brown.
Pipes were used both for personal pleasure and ceremonial functions. Since Native religions are very individualistic rather than dogmatic in nature, use and ceremony differed from individual to individual and tribe to tribe.
The pipes for sale at the monument are basic tourist pipes, although fully functional and good examples of the variety of forms Natives used. Lip pipes, effigy pipes, four wind pipes, Mic Mac pipes, the list could go on. All are wonderful.
Traditional pipes are much harder to come by, but not uncommon. Many are from the reservation period, made for trade. Others are truly relics and take a fair amount of education/experience to seperate fakes from legit pieces.
I hope that helps.
There are some nice books about Native American pipes and their use. I would highly recommend The Sacred Pipe: Black Elk's Account of the Seven Rites of the Oglala Sioux by Joseph Epes Brown.
Pipes were used both for personal pleasure and ceremonial functions. Since Native religions are very individualistic rather than dogmatic in nature, use and ceremony differed from individual to individual and tribe to tribe.
The pipes for sale at the monument are basic tourist pipes, although fully functional and good examples of the variety of forms Natives used. Lip pipes, effigy pipes, four wind pipes, Mic Mac pipes, the list could go on. All are wonderful.
Traditional pipes are much harder to come by, but not uncommon. Many are from the reservation period, made for trade. Others are truly relics and take a fair amount of education/experience to seperate fakes from legit pieces.
I hope that helps.
For readers desiring to learn more on this topic, take this link to an article and video from the PipesMagazine archives. It's a very interesting illustrated lecture from which I learned a great deal about really early tobacco smokers. Time well spent on line:
Use Of Tobacco By The North American Indians and The Use Of The Catlinite Pipes
Use Of Tobacco By The North American Indians and The Use Of The Catlinite Pipes
For some reason, my original post in this thread didn't display; so here's a re-post just in case the original evaporated into cyberspace.
For readers desiring to learn more on this topic, take this link to an article and video from the PipesMagazine archives. It's a very interesting illustrated lecture from which I learned a great deal about really early tobacco smokers. Time well spent on line:
Use Of Tobacco By The North American Indians and The Use Of The Catlinite Pipes
For readers desiring to learn more on this topic, take this link to an article and video from the PipesMagazine archives. It's a very interesting illustrated lecture from which I learned a great deal about really early tobacco smokers. Time well spent on line:
Use Of Tobacco By The North American Indians and The Use Of The Catlinite Pipes
Well, this is my 3rd attempt at posting this message. The previous two seemed to have evaporated into cyberspace or spamland. Here's one more try:
For readers desiring to learn more on this topic, take this link to an article and video from the PipesMagazine archives. It's a very interesting illustrated lecture from which I learned a great deal about really early tobacco smokers. Time well spent on line:
Use Of Tobacco By The North American Indians and The Use Of The Catlinite Pipes
For readers desiring to learn more on this topic, take this link to an article and video from the PipesMagazine archives. It's a very interesting illustrated lecture from which I learned a great deal about really early tobacco smokers. Time well spent on line:
Use Of Tobacco By The North American Indians and The Use Of The Catlinite Pipes
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