Ornamental Meerschaum Pipes

Ornamental carving is where the Turkish repertoire is most itself. Vine and grape, tulip, rosette and leaf work descend from a decorative vocabulary that runs through Ottoman tilework, textiles and stone, and it transfers to meerschaum easily because the material takes flowing, continuous line so well.

Technically it is a different problem from figural work. A portrait has one focal point; ornament has none, so the pattern has to hold together across the entire surface and resolve properly where it meets the rim, the shank and itself. Any hesitation shows up as a break in rhythm.

Several pieces in this collection combine ornament with a claw or another figural element, cut from the same block. Those are filed here where the ornament leads and under the relevant sculptural collection where the figure does.

Each piece is individually carved in Eskişehir and photographed unretouched from all sides, so the pattern can be followed around the whole form before you enquire.