Native American, Western United States, Plains tribes, likely Sioux, ca. late 19th to early 20th century CE. This is a finely carved red Catlinite stone pipe with a lengthy wooden inhalation shaft and mouthpiece. The pipe separates into two pieces - the "T" shaped stone bowl is decorated with carved ridges, a capped tip that extends from one end, the receptacle protrudes upward from the center, and the cylindrical opening fits onto the wood stem's narrow tip. The lengthy stem is a polished wood, and the pommel tip of the wood has a protrusion to serve as the mouthpiece for drawing smoke. Catlinite is a soft, red siltstone named for the 1830s artist and explorer George Catlin who visited the quarries of this stone in Minnesota. Catlinite pipes are ubiquitous at Oneota sites of the late prehistoric, protohistoric, and early historic periods. These pieces are aesthetically appealing with the rich red coloring but is said to derive from the blood of revered ancestors. Size: 28" L x 3.5" W (71.1 cm x 8.9 cm)

Provenance: ex-Stein collection, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, USA, acquired prior to 2010

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#168949

Catlinite is repaired with the cap tip reattached and visible break lines and fissures near receptacle bowl base and chips to the rim that attaches to stem. Stem has stable pressure fissures that run nearly the whole length, and chips and losses to inhalation tip. Pressure fissures appear to be older and have an old repair with a brass rivet. Wood has a lovely smooth patina from age and use.