Abd-El-Kader, an extremely popular pipe design

23 October 2011

Abd-El-Kader, an extremely popular pipe design

The portrait of the Algerian freedom fighter Abd-El-Kader, often in combination with a lion’s head and skin, is the most frequent depiction in figural pipe design between 1830 and 1860. Curator Don Duco has recently written an extensive article on these pipes. He explains the history of this theme and comments on the social and economic backgrounds of these pipes, that are not only produced in France but also in Belgium and Germany. Illustrated with 24 different pipes, the article fully treats the fashion of this historic personality. It also deals with some look-alikes.

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At last, the Christ figure-head!

10 October 2011

At last, the Christ figure-head!

After years finally part of the collection of the Pijpenkabinet: the most wanted Christ figure-head, model number 800 of Gambier. The say that this pipe is the rarest of all French figural pipes. That is of course not true, but surely difficult to find. See at APM 20.957.

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