Sitting dog

décembre 2004

They are called Bohemians by the American collectors, the porcelain pipes from Bohemia that are decorated with figurative representations. For those who adore the exclusive eighteenth-century portrait pipes from Meissen and other authoritative factories, the Bohemians are horrible. They lack the refinement of the porcelain, but also the balanced refinement in the execution. Moreover, the portrayal is more amusing than distinguished. Finally, the painting has always been hastily applied in too bright colours. Yet these pipes are a culture in themselves because of their ever different appearance wich makes there are several hundred different designs to collect. An example of these Bohemians is the pipe with a seated dog, the head of the animal forming the lid of the pipe as usual. Because this is a somewhat earlier specimen, the representation is not too loud yet, while the pedestal is also beautifully designed. Some gold is even applied. It is precisely that pedestal that later becomes somewhat shapeless. The mounting consists of a straight cherry wood stem with a simply curved horn mouthpiece. Target group is the smoker for whom his pipe is a statement, but who still has something to learn in terms of taste.

Amsterdam Pipe Museum APM 17.440

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