WW1 Pipe

[simong]

Here’s an interesting pipe I came across yesterday, unsmoked!
Birmingham hallmark from 1917 & H&J makers mark. Carved to depict a Māori warrior(?) & apart from the green stem, in unblemished condition.

This is all guesswork, but a quick search shows H&J stood for Hollins & Jaques. Were these pipes resulting from a collaboration between Redfern Hollins & Jaques Blumenthal? Who knows, one for the pipe detectives.

 

[jaingorenard]

Gorgeous pipe - nice find. I have one H&J mounted pipe, and it's a BBB meerschaum. I think @Ahi Ka has some similar to this?

 

[VDL_Piper]

Great find and in great condition. I think these pipes have significant cultural meaning to the Māori. @Ahi Ka will shed some light on it I’m sure.

 

[Ahi Ka]

Well consider me green with envy bro. Congratulations on your paipa. If you ever decide to let it go, you have my number. I can pay in st bruno

This page of the eBay thread has some information and links about pipes carved in a Māori style

Interesting Completed Ebay Auctions - British Pipes :: British Pipes

Big puppy! And cute! She got a chunky little fella!

pipesmagazine.com

Edit: as for your question of provenance, I doubt H&J would have sold this pipe carved like that. It would have most probably been a nice briar that was carved aftermarket, either as a gift or as a commission/trade

 

[xrundog]

Neat pipe! I like it a lot.

 

[greeneyes]

Gorgeous pipe!! When Philip Wade did his tour of the Commonwealth countries, I think it was in the 30s but I've got to check my records, he had a pipe done up in this way and it's a (Ben) Wade family heirloom. The motif is remarkably similar to yours which suggests that it has some particular significance other than merely decorative.

 

[Ahi Ka]

The motive/design on the front of the bowl is called a wheku. Another common name and associated name is tekoteko - though the later also includes the carved body.

Both of these terms yield lots of information if you google them. You will find many examples of them adorning marae (traditional and contemporary tribal meeting grounds) and other significant places.

This is just down the road from our home. An entrance to the traditional site of huhuarua pā



And here is a close up of the carving style on the one I am looking after

 

[condorlover1]

Trench art maybe?

 

[Ahi Ka]

Trench art maybe?

Yep, or post war. Most of the shabby tourist ones I’ve seen were on 50s era pipes.