Cyclone (vintage buying meerschaum smoking pipe)

Bowl is genuine block meerschaum. Circa 1970. Stem and bit have been expertly cleaned and restored. Bit is an opaque melon yellow acrylic and secured to the bowl by a threaded teflon mortise and tenon. It is in very good condition.

"Cyclone" is freehand-carved from block meerschaum into a rendering of a swirling cloud. The downward turn of the stem finishes the tail of the tornado. It was carved in Turkey, most likely from the late-20th century, and restored to the best abilities of M. J. Meers.

The design is similar to those produced by master carvers in Eskisehir, Turkey in the early 1970's. M. J. Meers estimates the bowl to be more than 50 years old, and a product of Turkish pipemakers. The bowl is showing light tans through the shank and under the bottom swirls of the bowl.

M. J. Meers draws upon the long and unique history of meerschaum to bring these magnificent works of art to your smoking enjoyment. M. J. Meers selects only the finest examples of the meerschaum carving art to restore and return to use.

In the cleansing process, the acrid, biting tastes and odors absorbed into the porous material from years, perhaps decades, of tobacco use are lessened, if not entirely eliminated. M. J. Meers has perfected a methodology to reduce residual tobacco to a bare minimum and allow the sweet flavors and aromas of new smoking materials to come through.

M. J. Meers has polished clean some of the surface nicks, but others, especially those attesting to "Cyclone's" vintage character, remain. The overall distinctiveness of this piece relies on the small dings and scratches that attest to its long history. These light marks are evidence to the pleasure and comfort given by the pipe.

Some have allayed fears of war; calmed nerves frayed by market crashes and economic collapse; soothed the grief of buying pandemics; and dried the tears of regrets and disappointments. Some have devised schemes and inventions; calculated odds and weighed risks; planned campaigns and strategies, and celebrated the joys of a lifetime, perhaps several lifetimes.

M. J. Meers had added a beautiful sash to compliment the unique colors of the piece. Harkening back to the steam-powered era in the late 1800's, its unique sash was crafted from etched and tarnished copper-toned beads strung onto a white hemp cord.

With every vintage meerschaum, M. J. Meers will include reflections on the piece and any special considerations encountered during the restoration. Documents will include a brief introduction to the piece, including any known owners, the carver, estimated age, country of origin, location of the source deposits, and other notes of provenance about the piece.

Thanks for shopping M. J. Meers.