Gesteck of burlwood

luglio 2025

The adoration of natural phenomena prompted many nineteenth-century smokers to create a special object. This wooden tobacco pipe with a whimsical silhouette, which from a distance looks a lot like the German Gesteckpfeife with porcelain bowl, is a perfect example. The three main parts were selected for their bizarre, yet natural appearance. The wood used here has fallen prey to the growth of burlwood, which grows out of the tree trunk and can completely change or damage the shape of the tree or shrub. No pipe shows this effect, called Maserknol in German, better than the one illustrated here. Burlwood occurs in various trees, but especially in birch, oak or ash. The maker of this natural product has worked carefully. The pieces of wood show similar patterns, which means that they fit together well in terms of shape and appearance. Each piece is lightly polished to fit comfortably in the hand. To complete the object, a silver mounting in the form of a hinged lid has been added. This part is a standard item that was ordered from the lid maker. Furthermore, a subtle silver band reinforces the place where the bowl and stem are clamped. Purely for decoration, as a continuation of the irregular shapes of the whole object, the stem is extended with a piece of stag horn. This is just as idiosyncratic in design but spikier. A simple buffalo horn stem with a knob mouthpiece completes the pipe. Hasn't it become an odd curiosity?

Amsterdam Pipe Museum APM 30.406

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