I can see that. My one meer doesn't look even close to as detailed in photos as it does in person. I suspect meer doesn't have the right contrast to really pop in standard point and click photography. Notice that the really old amazing meer photos up there are in black and white which any photographer that's taken one or two classes can tell you shows more contrast then color photography oh and depth (as in less flat). I guess the lesson is if you can take the picture of your meer in black and white unless your a pro.The photo doesn’t do justice to the pipe. There is a lot more detail than the photos shows. That being said, I would say it was carved after 1960s. The pieces are joined by screw in nylon fittings.