Tobacco Pipe

P953

From: Borneo | Sarawak | Tinjar River

Curatorial Section: Oceanian

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Object Number P953
Current Location Collections Storage
Culture Sebop
Provenience Borneo | Sarawak | Tinjar River
Section Oceanian
Materials Bamboo | Wood | Peel | Metal
Description

Tobacco pipe. Supak. Straight length of bamboo with a small wooden bowl inserted into a hole near one end. Metal wire twisted around bowl. End of pipe is carved with geometric designs. Bamboo split lengthwise into four segments. "The stem is a piece of bamboo more than an inch in diameter, into which is set a straight, slim bowl, which can hold only a small wad of tobacco. In the stem they insert a plug of shredded palm leaes, or of shavings of wood, bound on a stick; and then take the end of the stem into their mouths, and having first got the tobacco well alight by a few gentle puffs, they give a powerful suck, whereby the wad of glowing tobacco is drawn down through the bowl into the stem, but is prevented from reaching the mouth by the plug of palm leaves." (Home-Life of Borneo Head-Hunters)

Height 8.8 cm
Length 37.4 cm
Outside Diameter 4 cm
Credit Line Gift of Dr. William H. Furness 3rd., 1898

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