Pipe bowl

Pipe bowl

Pipe bowl

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Introduction

This relative, a stone pipe bowl, is believed to have been carved by Ojibwa chief Pabahmesad on Manitoulin Island between 1830 and 1846; it is very similar to one drawn by Paul Kane on Manitoulin Island in 1843. Carved from dark grey stone, the figures are anthropomorphic, potentially the heads of a human and a horse-like animal. The eyes of each figure are made of white glass beads, and the bowl is carved into the top of the human head.

This relative currently resides at the National Museum of Ireland.

Name of Maker(s): Chief Pabahmesad
Maker role: Artist
Nation of Maker: Anishinaabe Ojibwe
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular nation(s)

GRASAC research notes state that this relative has strong similarities to Paul Kane's drawing of an Anishinaabe pipe made on Manitoulin Island in 1843.

National Museum of Ireland records provide name of maker along with nation of origin.

Place of Origin: Manitoulin Island, ON
Date Made or Date Range: mid 19th century
Summary of Source(s) for this Relative

GRASAC research notes.

Materials

dark grey stone, white glass beads

Motifs and Patterns

bowl carved as anthropomorphic head with manedhorse-like animal head and neck behind it (GRASAC research notes).

This rare stone pipe features a bowl carved in the shape of a human head that faces towards the smoker. The pipe also features a curved neck animal that extends from the pipe stem to the back of the human figure’s head. This animal appears to have a horse’s head with a serrated ridge along its neck and spine. This may be a representation of a supernatural animal (source: NMI).

Dimensions: 19 × 0 × 6.5 cm
Condition: very good, but a piece appears to be missing from the top of the shank (possibly a component that was facing the anthropomorphic head)
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular times, materials, styles and uses

This pipe bowl is very similar to pipe drawn by Paul Kane on Manitoulin Island in 1843.

Current Location: National Museum of Ireland
Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: 1893.732
Link to Institution's Collections Database: pipe (smoking), National Museum of Ireland
Date of Acquisition by the Institution: 1883 or earlier
Who the Institution Acquired the Relative or Heritage Item From: This pipe was collected by Rev. Frederick O’Meara on Manitoulin Island, an island in Lake Huron (Canada) between 1841 and 1846, at which time he sent the object to Trinity College Dublin. It was later transferred to the Museum in 1893.
Collection Narratives and Histories

Royal Dublin Society; old object label: "TOBACCO-PIPE, STONE. / WEST COAST. (TRIBE NOT / KNOWN.) / R.D.S. Coll. 732.-'93".

Source for Provenance information

National Museum of Ireland.

GKS Reference Number: 24672
How to Cite this Item

Maker, Name unrecorded. Pipe bowl. GRASAC ID 24672. National Museum of Ireland Collection 1893.732.

Record Creation Context

This record was augmented by Dana Murray on July 14, 2024. It was informed by the notes collection during a GRASAC research trip to the National Museum of Ireland on July 21, 2010. Participants included, Alan Corbiere, Bhnens Corbiere, Crystal Migwans, Nikolaus Stolle, Rachel Hand, and Ruth Phillips, and were assisted by Padraig Clancy.

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