Tobacco was a plant held sacred by the indigenous peoples of both North and South America.

In South America, it was traditionally ground and snuffed, but in North America it was invariably smoked through a pipe. The centuries-old act of pipe smoking was often a communal and ceremonial ritual between fellow tribe members and fellow tribes, and was an act of such importance it was often used to seal a contract between indigineous tribes and early colonists.

This precisely composed and masterfully executed human effigy wood pipe is carved from solid maple burl and accented with lead inlay. The self-directed effigy is consistant within the Woodlands culture—the pipe stem inserted at the end, the bowl held in hand, the effigy communicating with the smoker.

The face, with its well-defined features, is stylistically similar to the human effigy club in this collection and others in European collections. The lead inlay on the head of this piece represents a headdress and is rocker engraved. The shaft of the pipe is also decorated with wide lead fills and an end cap. The lead fills are shaped in a very deliberate pattern and may represent ‘power lines.’

The whole remains in a remarkable state of preservation and exhibits a rich
patina from its great aqge and long history of use, indeed, carbonized ash from some long-passed smoking still remains within the bowl.

Edited, 4-21-13