Hussar portrait with brass helmet

September 2024

Early wooden pipes from Ulm are rare. The eighteenth century is long behind us, many beloved pipes have been smoked for years, but inevitably the moment of discarding came because defects manifested themselves. This pipe is a fine example of an early Ulm with a rare form of figuration that has been preserved in good condition. Depicted is the portrait head of a hussar with a tough appearance stressed by his large moustache. Characteristic of the time of origin is that the wood is decorated with white beads to give a subtle but attractive accent here and there. Quite unique is the way the pipe is protected against wear when laying down the instrument. The brass nail in the soldier's earlobe sits exactly at the thickest part of the pipe bowl. If you didn't smoke for a while and the pipe lies on its side, the object rests on this tack, the edge of the lid and the cuff, preventing scratches on the wood. The maker has clearly thought about this. Another eighteenth-century element is the hinged cover in the shape of a real military helmet, made of heavy brass. The earliest pipe fittings from Ulm are always made of brass, silver grew more popular somewhat later when the pipe had become a respected status item at the beginning of the nineteenth century. The helmet is not only an appropriate crown on this soldier's head, it also became a favorite way to cover the pipe bowl against scattering sparks.

Amsterdam Pipe Museum APM 24.766

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