Napoleon I Meerschaum Pipe

This incredibly rare pipe features a meerschaum bowl skillfully carved into the intricate likeness of Emperor Napoleon I. Executed with meticulous precision, the pipe reveals lifelike facial contours and hat of the famed leader of the French Empire. The meerschaum is smoked to near perfection and is perfectly complemented by an attractive amber stem. Still in its original custom case, this particular example, with its exquisite detailing, is very ornate and quite a rarity. Meerschaum, meaning "sea foam" in German, is a rare mineral that was mined only in Turkey. It was particularly suited to these elaborately carved Austrian pipes. As the pipe is smoked, the light and porous mineral changes color to give the pipe its characteristic golden and amber hues. The artists who created such masterpieces as this would often hire young boys to smoke the pipe until the optimal patina was achieved. 19th century 3 3/4“ high x 3” wide x 9 1/2“ deep