Tesuque Pueblo Historic Pottery Figural Smoking Pipe [SOLD]

Tesuque Pueblo is the closest pueblo to Santa Fe and, as a result, was the pueblo selected by Santa Fe merchants in the late 1800s as a source for tourist pottery items.  The most famous, of course, are the Tesuque Rain God figurines, which were made in the tens of thousands.  Also popular with tourists were small bowls, sugar and creamer sets, salt and pepper sets, ashtrays, and vases.

Perhaps, too, smoking pipes were popular, but they do not appear that frequently today, so it is surmised that not too many were made. It is not likely that they were purchased to be used as a smoking device, but rather were considered souvenirs. The popular design for smoking pipes was a figural element, mostly poking fun at Spanish noblemen or merchants.

This historic pipe has a sculpted face similar to some seen on Tesuque rain gods. The cheeks have a bull’s eye design.  On the underside of this pipe is painted five parallel black lines, the meaning of which is unknown.

Condition: excellent condition with normal wear

Provenance: from a family in Ohio