Lot 381: Carved Meerschaum Pipe Depicting a Scene from Greek Mythology

Measuring 6 1/2 inches long, 5 inches tall and 3 1/5 inches wide, with the bowl carved in the form of an partially overgrown pillar, flowers and vines around the base, and large leaves on the back, with the front depicting Cupid and Psyche, god of lust and goddess of the soul, seated above the bust of an unidentified man wearing a laurel. Cupid and Psyche are depicted in a close embrace, with a bird perched on Psyche's outstretched hand and a single leaf as clothing between the two of them. Mounted on top of the bowl is a hinged and vented silver lid, with the handle a pierced-through scroll design, cut through floral work on the main body, and a blooming 3-dimensional flower on top, totaling 3 inches tall. Included with the pipe are a pair of stems, both of horn and stag construction with short woven tube segments, one fitted with a silver chain and bands, marked "KIESEL".

Very good with most of the pipe intact except for a wing absent from Cupid, along with a few mild handling marks overall. The general color of the pipe is bone white, with hints of a yellow brown color on the high points. Both of the stems are good, with some light chipping and cracks.