A pipe from a crab scissors

July 2001

Amazing materials for making tobacco pipes have been used over time, such as in this pipe. Here, the scissors of a crab are transformed into a tobacco pipe. The pipe bowl is positioned in the wide extension part, a smoke tube is drilled in the tip. Apparenty, the pipe can function this way, since nicotine traces indicate that smoking continued for a long time. The surface is decorated with carvings, as was customary in the nineteenth century. Some simple flowers have been carved around the pipe bowl, but the main motif is on the front of the bowl. There you can see an eagle with spread wings, referring to the French empire. The stem shows a simple but charming twist. This is work done in a French colony, possibly by seafarers at times when the ship was anchored. Although this pipe seems unique, it is not. A second copy of this wonderful crab scissors pipe is known by a Belgian collector, so however extremely rare, it is not a unique piece.

Amsterdam Pipe Museum APM 15.815

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