Cameroon tobacco pipe
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
late 19th to mid-20th century CE
A fine example of an ornate tobacco pipe made from pottery, wood, and a metal mouth stem. The end receptacle bowl is molded from clay into a face with a flared headdress.
The carved wood is deeply etched with abstract motifs, inserts into the pottery bowl, and a slender metal mouthpiece protrudes from the tip. The entire pipe has achieved a rich patina from use! The artistic evolution reflects influences from traditional motifs, fashion, and historical events, depicting soldiers, judges, or rulers to mirror changing political landscapes. The pipes serve as status symbols, indicating social rank, with different designs for commoners, royalty, and ceremonial occasions.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Material (listing wording)
- pottery, wood, and a metal mouth stem
- Dimensions or weight (listing wording)
- 17" L x 2" W x 5" H (43.2 cm x 5.1 cm x 12.7 cm)
Identification
- Source note
- Auction-house description published on Invaluable. Attribution and measurements are the auction house’s statements about the photographed example; independent type authentication remains research required.
- Listing object ID
- 203203398
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Independent confirmation of type attribution and auction-house statements remains research required.