Native American, northeastern United States, Ohio, Ross County, Hopewell Indians, ca. 100 BCE to 500 CE. A beautiful smoking pipe, hand-carved from mottled grey stone with dark inclusions, in the form of an anthropomorphic head. A large receptacle is drilled behind the head and a mouthpiece is drilled into the top, and the neck serves as the base of the pipe. The expressive countenance is comprised of ovoid eyes with incised pupils, a slender nose, full lips surrounding a gaping mouth, and cupped ears adorned with huge ear discs, all beneath a coiffure drawn tightly back to a bun. Incised linear details across the cheeks are indicative of tattooing or scarification marks. Custom wooden display stand included. Size: 1.375" W x 2.125" H (3.5 cm x 5.4 cm); 3.75" H (9.5 cm) on included custom stand.

For stylistically-similar examples, please see: Parsons, Rodney R. "The Hopewell Pipe: The Collection of Rodney R. Parsons." R.R. Parsons, 1982, p. 36, figs. 200-201, 203.

Provenance: private Southern California, USA collection, acquired in the 1970s to mid-1980s

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#140829

Small area of repair to base of neck. Minor abrasions and nicks to neck, face, and rims of drilled holes, with fading to some incised details. Light earthen deposits throughout. Old sticker on bottom of neck reads "Ross County."