Tower (vintage 2024 meerschaum smoking pipe)

Bowl is genuine block meerschaum. Hand-carved. Circa 1970's. Stem and bit have been expertly cleaned and restored. Bit is a clear tea-colored acrylic and secured to the bowl by a threaded teflon mortise and tenon. It is in near-pristine condition.

"Tower" is hand-carved from block meerschaum into a open lattice pattern similar to the windows in Ottoman towers. It was carved in Turkey, most likely from mid- to late-20th century, and restored to the best abilities of M. J. Meers.

The design is traditional to those produced by master carvers in the area around Eskisehir, Turkey since antiquity. M. J. Meers estimates the bowl to be more than 40 years old, and a product of Turkish carvers. Lights tans and mottled coffees are showing through the shank and the bottom 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.

The overall distinctiveness of each piece relies often on the small dings and scratches that attest to its long history. M. J. Meers has polished clean some of the surface nicks, but others, especially those attesting to "Tower's" vintage character, remain.

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 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 hemp cord with silver-toned beads.

With every vintage meerschaum, M. J. Meers will include reflections on the piece and any special considerations encountered during 2024 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.