19th Century Tirolian Meacham Pipe.

A Late 19th century Tirolian pipe out of Meacham or Sepiolite, which is a soft white clay like material which is sometimes found floating on the Black Sea, hence its name ‘Meacham’ meaning sea foam.
This pie is beautifully carved with a horse running through a village, the base of the large bowl is carved with a wave of scrolls, also the date of 1809. The stem is mostly wood covered with mother of pearl with copper fittings and a horn mouthpiece. The bowl cap is made of brass with a stamp of XL, which I think just means extra larg.
Back to the date of 1809. I do not think this is the date of manufacture but the date of the Tyrolean Rebellion of 1809. This was a rebellion of peasants in the County of Tyrol led by Andreas Hofer against the occupation of their homeland by the French and Bavarian troops during the Napoleonic wars.
This pipe is in beautiful condition no cracks or chips to the bowl and the bowl is a wonderful amber colour. The metal parts have some wear but no damage and its only fault as far as I can see is; at the bottom of the stem, this is removable so the pipe will fit into a pocket. What holds the stem in place is a cork surround, this has obviously shrunken and broken down over the years and has been wrapped with sellotape at some point. a beautiful used pipe in just splendid condition, measuring 8.5 inches from tip of mouthpiece to base of bow.

Code: 26543