Stone Pipe

[CreekSide]

Well I acquired this pipe a couple of years ago. I take it to every show and so far not much interest has been shown. It’s soapstone and rather rustic looking. What’s your opinion on it? Real or Fake

 

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[Up-North]

It’s real.
But, not ancient.
1800~1900’s I.m.o…♨️

 

[dognose]

I am on the fence with it. It has the appearance of being pecked. I don't think soapstone AKA steatite, was pecked, maybe so. It could be those are imperfections in the stone.

soapstone when mined for use and fresh is soft and carved I believe. most of the steatite pipes I have seen, and I have one, are darker in appearance.

I agree with Up-North that its more likely late 1800s to early 1900s.

 

[Up-North]

Here’s a pic. Of a recent pipe I made of a similar stone as yours.
Mine has been grinded and polished to give it this appearance, yours looks to be more in the raw state and it’s a cool pipe regardless to its age

 

[GirlWithWolf]

That’s a cool pipe. Any idea where it came from? My friend in Tacoma found something very similar while she was camping. Hers was about the same size and looks almost like the same stone.

 

[southfork]

The soapstone looks like what we have in my area the style could be from anywhere. The only thing it looks unfinished the drilled bowl took several attempts in a real soft easy to work stone.

 

[CreekSide]

The soapstone looks like what we have in my area the style could be from anywhere. The only thing it looks unfinished the drilled bowl took several attempts in a real soft easy to work stone.

I got it from Paul Pfrky I think he was out of Ohio but not positive. Bought it before the pandemic. I haven’t seen Paul for years.
The bowl looks used within the last 10 years. The hole does go all the way through.

 

[Tesorodeoro]

With Steatite (soap stone), you should be able to rub your finger on the stone and then rub your fingers together and it should feel slick.

The photos appear to show the high points polished or painted?

 

[Older The Better]

I can’t stop seeing iron with rust in the pits… I don’t doubt it soapstone but that’s all I can see. I can’t help with authenticity but I alway hope it is.

 

[CreekSide]

It’s real.
But, not ancient.
1800~1900’s I.m.o…♨️

I was hoping that the pipe master would give his opinion. Thanks Brad

 

[unclemac]

does anyone have other examples of "pitted" soapstone artifacts?

 

[CreekSide]

does anyone have other examples of "pitted" soapstone artifacts?

I have a book that shows some from NC that has the pitted style. Must be a low quality

 

[Charl]

I am on the fence with it. It has the appearance of being pecked. I don't think soapstone AKA steatite, was pecked, maybe so. It could be those are imperfections in the stone.

soapstone when mined for use and fresh is soft and carved I believe. most of the steatite pipes I have seen, and I have one, are darker in appearance.

I agree with Up-North that its more likely late 1800s to early 1900s.

Most of the pipes we find in Rhode Island are chlorite, similar to steatite, and found in the same quarries. These pipes from RI quarries were traded throughout the East, at least as far west as Indiana. Here is a broken chlorite pipe-form, showing pecking. The pipes, like bowls, were indeed pecked and ground into shape…..

 

[Charl]

RI chlorite pipe, showing pecking, scraping, grinding. Found encased in a ball of clay, 6 feet down while building a cesspool. No burial, just this pipe inside a ball of clay, and unfinished…..

 

[Charl]

Regarding the “rust pits” in the OP’s pipe, bear in mind steatite can contain iron impurities. This broken bowl sat in salt water, in the middle of a hearth, for centuries. Looks like body rot…

 

[CreekSide]

Thanks Charl for the examples

 

[dognose]

IMO, there have been many reproduction pipes made over the last 150 years.

A number of years ago when I was working, a coworker brought in a Thebes and a pipe to show me. He had found the Thebes.

The pipe was owned by an older woman friend of his who lived close by his home. She had been using this pipe to "smoke" for over 25 years.

It had an interesting look, and I took these photos.

When I was in Owensboro, I showed them to a few guys I know knowledgeable about pipes. Virtually all identified the steatite material as one being used over the years to make reproductions.

This pipe is not an old native American pipe.