🦅 Carved 19th Century Meerschaum Pipe – Amber Stem, Silver Mount
🦅 Carved 19th Century Meerschaum Pipe – Amber Stem, Silver Mount
🎨 Subject & Medium
A stunning late 19th-century Meerschaum smoking pipe, exquisitely hand-carved into an eagle’s claw gripping an egg— symbolizing power and delicacy. This piece beautifully combines natural Meerschaum, a soft mineral, with a luminous amber stem and a refined silver mount, blending nature’s beauty with artisan mastery.
✨ Composition & Technique
The pipe’s warm ivory base gradually shifts into golden honey and amber tones, thanks to years of careful smoking that enhance Meerschaum’s natural patina. The surface carries a smooth, velvety texture with subtle, organic pores that highlight its delicate mineral nature.
The eagle’s claw features sharply detailed talons and fine feather work, contrasting against the smooth, rounded form of the egg it holds — a dynamic interplay between sharp and soft, detailed and minimalist. The amber stem glows with warm translucency, while the silver mount adds a cool metallic accent, elevating the entire composition with a refined, luxurious touch.
This is a Victorian-era masterpiece: both artistic and functional, blending naturalistic carving with timeless elegance.
🌊 About Meerschaum
Meerschaum (meaning “sea foam” in German) is a rare, lightweight magnesium silicate mineral, highly prized for its porous nature. It absorbs tobacco’s tars, oils, and nicotine, providing an exceptionally smooth smoke and gradually developing a rich golden-to-amber coloration over time. Primarily mined in Turkey, Meerschaum pieces are treasured worldwide for their beauty and performance.
📏 Dimensions
Pipe Dimensions:
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Height: 8.5 cm
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Width: 6 cm
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Length: 22 cm
Case Dimensions:
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Length: 23.5 cm
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Widest Point: 10 cm
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Height: 6.3 cm
🏛 Provenance
From a private collection, notable UK auction house & includes the original fitted velvet-lined case, marked by the historical retailer Giacomo Weiss, Trieste — adding authenticity and collectible value.
💛 Why You’ll Love It
✅ Large, highly collectible Meerschaum pipe with rare subject matter and exceptional craftsmanship.
✅ Elegant mix of ivory, gold, amber, and silver tones that look stunning on display.
✅ Striking combination of sharp detail (claw) and smooth form (egg) — an artistic balance of strength and fragility.
✅ A true conversation piece and heirloom-quality addition to any fine art, antique, or smoking memorabilia collection.
✅ Perfect for collectors who appreciate Victorian-era artistry and historic craftsmanship.
🔍 Condition
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Offered in fine antique used worn condition.
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Aged patina with scuffs, scratches, and stains consistent with its long history. The front talon tow claw is missing.
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Case shows signs of wear, fading, and hinge damage, but remains a valuable part of the provenance.
🌍 Worldwide Shipping Available
Professionally packaged and fully insured for safe international delivery.
🖼️ Available exclusively through Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD
📩 Inquire now to secure this piece
