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Vintage, hand-carved block meerschaum figural tobacco pipe - $50 (ALBUQUERQUE)
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Object Information
• Material: Hand-carved from genuine block meerschaum (sepiolite), a rare, porous white mineral mined primarily in central Turkey. Meerschaum is highly prized by tobacco enthusiasts because it acts as a natural filter, absorbs moisture, and gradually changes color to a deep golden amber or rich honey-brown as it is smoked over time.
• Design & Features: A classic mid-century "Sultan's Head" figural design. The pipe bowl is intricately sculpted to showcase highly detailed folds in the turban, a beaded head band, deep set eyes, and a prominent mustache and beard framing the front. The top down view shows a heavily darkened, charred interior bowl chamber, proving it was actively smoked and loved by its previous owner.
• Stem: Fitted with a translucent, curved yellow acrylic or faux-amber stem (often referred to as a lucite or bakelite-style bit).
• The English Connection: While meerschaum mineral blocks are mined and carved by artisans in Turkey, England (alongside France and Austria) was historically a premier European import and distribution hub for fine tobacciana. High-end tobacconists throughout London frequently imported these carved Turkish blocks loose, fitted them with localized custom stems or silver bands, and retailed them to British gentlemen in custom-fitted velvet cases.