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Most of the effigies on these pipe bowls are self-directed; that is, the face of the effigy is directed towards the smoker. Pipe smoking was used to concentrate one's thoughts, and the effigy of one's guardian spirit served the meditation of vision-dreams and the fostering of a good relationship with one's guardian spirit.
The decorative chevron pattern along the side of this pipe bowl, while somewhat unusual, resembles the decorative motif on a very similar pipe bowl acquired in the Detroit region about 1800 (c.f. Phillips 1984: fig. 45). This remarkable similarity as well as other evidence suggests that the manufacture of such pipebowls was done by specialists who attributes the pipe to Eastern Great Lakes. The flat bottom of the pipe in the Thaw Collection is inlaid with the lead figure of an otterskin, perhaps indicating the trade value of the pipebowl. Holes in the ridge on the shank held a string, used to secure the bowl to the pipe stem. (From the Catalog of the Thaw Collection of American Indian Art, 2nd ed.)
Exhibition History"Art Des Indiens D'Amerique Du Nord Dans La Collection D'Eugene Thaw," Mona Bismarck Foundation, Paris, France, Somogy Editions D'Art, January 21, 2000 - March 18, 2000.
ProvenanceJames Economos, Santa Fe, New Mexico; Taylor A. Dale, Santa Fe, New Mexico
BibliographyAdvertisement for Taylor A. Dale in American Indian Art Magazine, Vol.18, no.1 (Winter 1992), p.7.
Vincent, Gilbert T. Masterpieces of American Indian Art. New York: Harry Abrams, 1995, p.18.
Vincent, Gilbert et al. Art of the North American Indians: The Thaw Collection. Cooperstown, New York: Fenimore Art Museum, 2000, p.68.
Grambo, Rebecca L. Bear: A Celebration of Power and Beauty. Burlington, Vermont: Verve, 2000, p.129.
Perriot, Francoise, and Slim Batteux, trans. Arts des Indiens d'Amerique du Nord: Dans la Collection d'Eugene et Clare Thaw. Paris: Somogy, editions d'Art, 1999, p. 37, fig. 25.
Fognell, Eva and Alexander Brier Marr, eds. Art of the North American Indians: The Thaw Collection at the Fenimore Art Museum, 2nd ed. Cooperstown, New York: Fenimore Art Museum, 2016, p. 60.
Culture
Anishinaabe (eastern Ojibwa)
Pipe Bowl
Datec. 1790
MediumMaple, lead
DimensionsOverall: 3 1/2 × 1 1/2 × 5 1/2 in. (8.9 × 3.8 × 14 cm)
Object numberT0013
Credit LineGift of Eugene V. and Clare E. Thaw
Photograph by John Bigelow Taylor, NYC
Label TextThe Anishinaabe (eastern Ojibwa) made effigy pipe bowls influenced by Wendat (Huron) and Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) designs from the mid-17th century. Although mostly stone-carved examples have survived, there is considerable evidence that the carving of wooden pipe bowls was common from the lower Great Lakes eastwards. (c.f. Phillips 1984, p.72, fig.45; Feder 1971, p.98; Phillips 1987b, p.59, W99). Since early colonial times these wooden pipe bowls were usually lined with metal.Most of the effigies on these pipe bowls are self-directed; that is, the face of the effigy is directed towards the smoker. Pipe smoking was used to concentrate one's thoughts, and the effigy of one's guardian spirit served the meditation of vision-dreams and the fostering of a good relationship with one's guardian spirit.
The decorative chevron pattern along the side of this pipe bowl, while somewhat unusual, resembles the decorative motif on a very similar pipe bowl acquired in the Detroit region about 1800 (c.f. Phillips 1984: fig. 45). This remarkable similarity as well as other evidence suggests that the manufacture of such pipebowls was done by specialists who attributes the pipe to Eastern Great Lakes. The flat bottom of the pipe in the Thaw Collection is inlaid with the lead figure of an otterskin, perhaps indicating the trade value of the pipebowl. Holes in the ridge on the shank held a string, used to secure the bowl to the pipe stem. (From the Catalog of the Thaw Collection of American Indian Art, 2nd ed.)
Exhibition History"Art Des Indiens D'Amerique Du Nord Dans La Collection D'Eugene Thaw," Mona Bismarck Foundation, Paris, France, Somogy Editions D'Art, January 21, 2000 - March 18, 2000.
ProvenanceJames Economos, Santa Fe, New Mexico; Taylor A. Dale, Santa Fe, New Mexico
BibliographyAdvertisement for Taylor A. Dale in American Indian Art Magazine, Vol.18, no.1 (Winter 1992), p.7.
Vincent, Gilbert T. Masterpieces of American Indian Art. New York: Harry Abrams, 1995, p.18.
Vincent, Gilbert et al. Art of the North American Indians: The Thaw Collection. Cooperstown, New York: Fenimore Art Museum, 2000, p.68.
Grambo, Rebecca L. Bear: A Celebration of Power and Beauty. Burlington, Vermont: Verve, 2000, p.129.
Perriot, Francoise, and Slim Batteux, trans. Arts des Indiens d'Amerique du Nord: Dans la Collection d'Eugene et Clare Thaw. Paris: Somogy, editions d'Art, 1999, p. 37, fig. 25.
Fognell, Eva and Alexander Brier Marr, eds. Art of the North American Indians: The Thaw Collection at the Fenimore Art Museum, 2nd ed. Cooperstown, New York: Fenimore Art Museum, 2016, p. 60.
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