Claw

The Claw, often called the Claw and Egg or Dragon Claw, is one of the most recognizable forms in meerschaum pipe carving. Its bowl is sculpted as an egg, sphere, or other rounded object held securely within the talons of a bird, beast, or mythical creature.

The design gives a skilled meerschaum carver an opportunity to create layered scales, joints, nails, feathers, and other fine details while preserving a functional tobacco chamber within the central bowl. Interpretations range from restrained traditional claws to dramatic dragon designs and larger sculptural pieces.

Most Claw pipes are carved from block meerschaum, although the motif can occasionally appear in other materials. MBSD’s selection may include new Claw pipes from its own meerschaum lines as well as antique, vintage, smoked, and unsmoked estate examples from independent carvers and established brands.