About

These intricate and beautifully carved pipes and snuff containers represent the rich visual culture of southern Africa. Pipes and snuff containers would have been used every day, resulting in deep patinas and smooth surfaces. Though typically carved by men, pipes would have been used by everyone and passed down as family heirlooms. Each of the four pipes is unique in its design: one, attributed to either the Cape Nguni or Thembu people, has a playful carving of a hand grasping a bowl that is embellished with inlaid metal patterns; another one, characteristic of a Thembu artisan, features a long bone stem and geometric forms that elegantly exploit negative space; a Thembu pipe has, what appears to be, brass-lined finger holes on the shank; and the Xhosa pipe includes beautiful metal inlay designs. The Tsonga snuff boxes are connected by carved wooden links, the smooth surface showing extensive use.