Question about wooden carvings

peregrine · 23rd July 2016, 07:23 PM

Hi:
I am a new member of this forum and from time to time I will be posting artifacts that I have inherited or collected over the years. Attached are some images of a curiosity that has been in my family for many years. As you can see they are a pair of wooden carved heads with hollowed out centers through the middle of the head. They are about 4 inches in height and 6 inches in circumference. As you can see there are differences in the facial features such as furrowed brow, cheeks, and eyes.
Despite being in the family for years, I have no idea what they are or what they may have been used for. I am interested in anything anyone can tell about them or where I might look to for further research.
Thank you.

Rick · 24th July 2016, 05:59 AM

This looks like Black Americana, possibly late 19th-early 20thC.
Being close to identical, and considering their form; I wonder if they are possibly unfinished pipe bowls..

Figural pipes were pretty popular then.

I remember having a clay Admiral Dewey figural pipe as a teenager; alas it was lost a long time ago..

Battara · 25th July 2016, 06:29 AM

I was thinking the same thing........

blue lander · 26th July 2016, 08:42 PM

Most figural pipe bowls I've seen have been made of meeshaum rather than wood. The inside of the bowl does look figured, though, so maybe it's burl?

Pipe bowls usually have a shank on the back where the stem plugs in. The lack of a shank makes me doubt these were intended to be pipe bowls.

peregrine · 26th July 2016, 11:04 PM

I think they are too large to be figural pipe bowls and the circular base leads me to think that too. The depth of the hole in the head might suggest that something was intended to be held within. Perhaps there were covers/lids at some point? Years ago, someone suggested candle holders. I am unsure about them being Black Americana although that might be a possibility. Someone suggested that the facial features suggested a Caribbean origin. However, I have no idea and that's why I posted in hope of some additional thoughts. Thank you.

M ELEY · 3rd August 2016, 03:16 AM

Could they perhaps be a humidor? I've seen chalk skulls and carved wooden figural heads used for such...

Rick · 3rd August 2016, 02:39 PM

Peregrin's description of size, four inches high and six inches in circumference would likely put the function of humidor off the list.
You couldn't get much tobacco in that size of container.

Rick · 14th August 2016, 01:14 AM

No more input from anyone?

23rd July 2016, 07:23 PM	#1
peregrine Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 69	Question about wooden carvings Hi: I am a new member of this forum and from time to time I will be posting artifacts that I have inherited or collected over the years. Attached are some images of a curiosity that has been in my family for many years. As you can see they are a pair of wooden carved heads with hollowed out centers through the middle of the head. They are about 4 inches in height and 6 inches in circumference. As you can see there are differences in the facial features such as furrowed brow, cheeks, and eyes. Despite being in the family for years, I have no idea what they are or what they may have been used for. I am interested in anything anyone can tell about them or where I might look to for further research. Thank you. Attached Images

26th July 2016, 11:04 PM	#5
peregrine Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 69	Wooden Carvings I think they are too large to be figural pipe bowls and the circular base leads me to think that too. The depth of the hole in the head might suggest that something was intended to be held within. Perhaps there were covers/lids at some point? Years ago, someone suggested candle holders. I am unsure about them being Black Americana although that might be a possibility. Someone suggested that the facial features suggested a Caribbean origin. However, I have no idea and that's why I posted in hope of some additional thoughts. Thank you.

24th July 2016, 05:59 AM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,291	This looks like Black Americana, possibly late 19th-early 20thC. Being close to identical, and considering their form; I wonder if they are possibly unfinished pipe bowls.. Figural pipes were pretty popular then. I remember having a clay Admiral Dewey figural pipe as a teenager; alas it was lost a long time ago..

25th July 2016, 06:29 AM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,219	I was thinking the same thing........

26th July 2016, 08:42 PM	#4
blue lander Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 456	Most figural pipe bowls I've seen have been made of meeshaum rather than wood. The inside of the bowl does look figured, though, so maybe it's burl? Pipe bowls usually have a shank on the back where the stem plugs in. The lack of a shank makes me doubt these were intended to be pipe bowls.

3rd August 2016, 03:16 AM	#6
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,093	Could they perhaps be a humidor? I've seen chalk skulls and carved wooden figural heads used for such...

3rd August 2016, 02:39 PM	#7
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,291	Peregrin's description of size, four inches high and six inches in circumference would likely put the function of humidor off the list. You couldn't get much tobacco in that size of container.

14th August 2016, 01:14 AM	#8
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,291	No more input from anyone?