Lot 132

Sioux Chief's Large Catlinite Pipe & Stem c1850-75

Estimate: $3,000 - $6,000

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $5
$50 $10
$100 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,000 $250
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$25,000 $2,500
$100,000 $5,000
This is a phenomenal large Chief’s catalinite pipe bowl and burnished stem dating to the third quarter of the 19th Century from the Sioux Native American Indians of the Northern Plains. This circa 1850-1875’s pipe features the largest bowl we have ever offered for sale; this astounding bowl is in the traditional “T” pattern and is made of solid catalinite pipestone material with dark red to speckled pink coloring. The bowl shows a large cylindrical stem end that slightly tapers toward the tall cylindrical, slightly outward tapering bowl and end, which gradually forms from round to hexagonal with a diagonally cut beveled end; the entire base of the pipe is expertly carved flat. The bowl shows a shiny dark coloring from honest age and patina, along with a well smoked bowl, all indications from true authentic age. The piece is paired with the original solid hardwood stem that has a standard squared off pattern with slightly rounded top and bottom, which is slightly tapered in and out again at the gripping area; the stem also carries a well burnished, hot file branded finish that also has a shiny dark chocolate patina from honest authentic age and use. The smoking tip is worn away to nearly natural wood and has a slight chip at the very end. The pipe end is dark from much use. Both the bowl and pipe smoking-ends and bowl have a deep, old tobacco sent. This is truly a fantastic pipe bowl and stem with rich patina, scarce large size and from a nice collection. Provenance: From a private museum collection in the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region of France. For other large Chief size catlinite bowl and stem examples, see the Sioux Calumet stem and Catlinite bowl sold by Cowan's Auction in 2013 for $23,000; the Sioux Catlinite bowl and stem also sold by Cowan's for $10,000 in 2019; the Sioux Chief Catlinite pipe and stem c. 1890 sold by our company in 2014 for $4,300; and the Central Plains Catlinite bowl and stem sold by Skinner Auction in 2011 for $4,750. The pipe measures together 29 inches in length, with the bowl itself being 9 3/8 inches long by 4.75 inches tall and 1.5 inches wide and the bowl opening being just over a ½ inch.
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