An Ifugao statuette as a pipe bowl

April 2021

You could call this sculpted tobacco pipe primitive but expressive. The pipe bowl is hidden in the head of the depicted figure, the stem attachment is formed by a folded body with legs drawn up, the hands hold the thighs and lock the man. Due to the position of the bowl in relation to the stem, his head lies in the neck, which provides extra tension and dynamism in the cheerful figure. This attractive piece of carving comes from the Philippines, made by the people of the Ifugao who live in the eponymous province of Ifugao, centrally on the island of Luzon. The meaning of the word Ifugao is literally mountain people and their arts and crafts exude that too. In addition to basket weaving, they are known for their wood carvings. Especially characteristic are figurines of the rice god Bulul, usually shown seated. This piece of carving shows the same attractive stylization, but at the same time also has a subtle detailing. Unlike the standing rice gods who have to induce a good harvest, the attitude of the pipe bowl is much more playful. In the end, standing is fairly static, a fantasy attitude between crawling and sitting is significantly more dynamic. At the Ifugao, their crafts are part of the daytime activities, after which there is time to smoke a pipe. A piece of reed or bamboo us used as the pipe stem. The solid wood type guarantees durability.

Amsterdam Pipe Museum APM 24.236

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