Meerschaum Pipe with Nude Figures

This unique antique pipe, crafted out of meerschaum,  has a bowl height of 2.5 inches and an overall length of 20 inches.
Meerschaum is a type of mineral that is mainly sourced from Turkey but is also sourced from other locations such as Greece, Spain,  and France. It can also sometimes be found floating on the surface of the Black Sea. It’s composed of fossilized shells and is highly porous which not only keeps it cool, but also allows it to absorb oils from tobacco. Over time, these oils give the meerschaum pipe a rich amber-brown color. Meerschaum pipes were first crafted in the early 18th century and became a premium alternative to clay pipes which were commonly used before that. The softness of the mineral allows for sculpting into intricate patterns such as those of the ones we carry at Austin Galleries.