Cavalier shaped sea foam pipe with carved head of God Bacchus

This meerschaum pipe depicting the god Bacchus, the god of libations and abundance, of entertainment, made entirely by hand, is an antique from the Andreas Bauer tobacconist in Vienna and is in perfect working order.

A masterpiece of inlay created in the early twentieth century, with unparalleled detail and perfection, clean and restored.

Meerschaum is generally known as the "white goddess", and its admirers particularly emphasize its performance.

It is composed of hydrated magnesium silicate (scientifically called sepiolite) found in Turkey and Tanzania.

Its origin is uncertain, but it is assumed that the calcareous water of the rivers eroded the magnesium stones and deposited the mud that formed. Possible geological changes would have determined the change in the course of the river, leaving behind, at a depth between forty and eighty metres, the alluvial deposits which would then have been pressed into blocks following the pressure exerted by the overlying tectonic masses.

If on the one hand there are countless legends about the date of birth of the first pipe made from this particularly light material, on the other hand it is certain that the first European meerschaum pipes were manufactured in Hungary and imported by some aristocrats to Vienna, where a meerschaum processing center developed.

Around 1870 over two hundred companies located in the Austrian capital were producing hydrated magnesium silicate pipes and the term "Vienna foam" was introduced into pipe literature.

The best meerschaum used in the manufacturing of pipes is the block foam from Turkey, extracted mainly in the region surrounding Eskisehir.

The original material from Tanzania is geologically much younger than the Turkish one and does not give the same yield and does not even have the same truly white color as the Turkish one.

For low-priced pipes, pressed foam is also used, composed of foam waste held together by the pressure exerted and the binder.

There is a further lower quality which is made up of mass sea foam which also consists of waste, which is ground into a pulp which, once water, potassium silicate and potassium salts have been added, is boiled for processing purposes.

Block meerschaum pipes are usually made on a lathe.

First the blocks are cut to the right size, softened in water and finally, while still wet, turned and drilled and often carvings or ornaments are applied to them.

While in the past the turned or sculpted heads were dipped in whale white, today they are instead dipped in lightened white wax.

Foam pipes have won over many smokers because they do not require breaking in, do not suffer burns and allow the tobacco to retain its aroma.

What you see here is a hand-sculpted meerschaum pipe from the early twentieth century depicting the Roman and pagan god Bacchus, with his head surrounded by a grape branch with a bunch of grapes.

The subject of this meerschaum pipe sculpture is Bacchus, who laughs with his long beard.

The shape is the classic Cavalier with a long stem also engraved and decorated.

The torch is divided into two parts by screw connection, in perfect condition.

This long stem ends with a perfect curved amber-like juvelite mouthpiece.

Each meerschaum pipe is a unique and unrepeatable piece and the photos you see portray this exclusive pipe, once purchased it will be removed from the catalogue.

If you need more detailed photos, we will be happy to send them to you.

1) width 450 mm

2) height 97 mm

3) depth 60 mm

4) chimney diameter 21 mm

5) chimney depth 61 mm

Characteristics:

Curved mouthpiece in pale amber marbled straw iuvelite.

6 mm diameter, Teflon reinforcement, no filter.

Weight: 202 grams

Shape: Sculpted Cavalier.

Finish: Decorated glossy white seafoam.

Markings: --

The pipe in question is as it appears in the photographs, it is a collector's item and in perfect working order and we will not be able to entertain refunds or exchanges.