Help with Meershaum identification…

[telemitry]

I was gifted this Meershaum (I think) pipe recently. Seems to be made by Jos Dolezal in Prague…. Carving is what seems to be called “Edwardian Lady” maybe ?

Just curious if anyone has any other info. The bowl seems so small… is this a tobacco pipe or opium pipe ?lol. Why is it almost transparent in spots ? Any other insight?

May be a cheap plastic , just was curious.

 

[verporchting]

That looks like a cheroot cigar holder. Nicely carved though. Definitely looks like a meer of a certain period and not a modern plastic item. Cool piece!

 

[didimauw]

Yes, and it looks to be "translucent", which is fairly sought after in meerschaum pipes.

 

[jonasclark]

That is a holder for a cheroot, a small cigar which predated the common thicker cigars of today. The stem is real amber, and has been shortened at some point, possibly to deal with a crack near the shank. Opium pipes have a long, straight tube like an orchestral flute, with a bulbous bowl attached to one side a short way from the end, and have a bowl opening only a few mm wide, to suit the way opium was smoked; those are quite rare now, as are the lamps, opium jars, metal pin and other accoutrements, since the Chinese government had a drive to collect opium-smking implements, which were then destroyed.

 

[metalheadycigarguy]

It's definitely a meerschaum pipe with beautiful carving. Like others said, it's a cheroot holder, and it appears to be a good quality meer for its time. To me it looks like a late 1800's to early 1900's with an amber stem or maybe a faux amber stem. It appears the stem is a replacement as it's a bit shorter than the case. It's hard to tell from the pics. A great pipe to add to the pipe collection. Enjoy!

 

[telemitry]

That is a holder for a cheroot, a small cigar which predated the common thicker cigars of today. The stem is real amber, and has been shortened at some point, possibly to deal with a crack near the shank. Opium pipes have a long, straight tube like an orchestral flute, with a bulbous bowl attached to one side a short way from the end, and have a bowl opening only a few mm wide, to suit the way opium was smoked; those are quite rare now, as are the lamps, opium jars, metal pin and other accoutrements, since the Chinese government had a drive to collect opium-smking implements, which were then destroyed.

Amazing info

 

[jonasclark]

Amazing info

Also: it's often said that Turkish meerschaums are all crude compared with antiques. But compared to other antiques, apples to apples, a lot of antiques, especially cheroot holders, were fairly crude too. Yours isn't museum-quality, but it's very nice.

 

[telemitry]

Also: it's often said that Turkish meerschaums are all crude compared with antiques. But compared to other antiques, apples to apples, a lot of antiques, especially cheroot holders, were fairly crude too. Yours isn't museum-quality, but it's very nice.

It’s just cool to hear this forum pour out the knowledge… this is why I got into pipe smoking. Appreciate the input everyone