Mesut XL Whirling Dervishes Oom Paul w/ Cap Estate Block Meerschaum Pipe, Turkish Estates

Description

While most Turkish meerschaum carvers remain anonymous to their customers throughout their career (in the same way most pipe factory or workshop staff do in the briar trade), masters of the craft are given the honor of signing their works. Figures such as Baki, Bekler, and Kenan are examples of such masters, as is Mesut. This particular pipe shows off Mesut’s mastery in full, while also being one of the most “Turkish” Turkish meerschaum designs one could ask for.

In addition to the delicate, floral carvings typically found on Turkish meerschaum pipes, the pipe depicts a scene of whirling dervishes around the bowl’s sides and base. While its roots are to be found in a form of meditation used in the esoteric sect of Sufi Islam (“dervish” being a word for a word for a type of Sufi practitioner), it has since become a distinctive dance performed by Sufis and non-Sufis. In Turkey, ceremonies involving whirling dervishes are very common, with one particular ceremony being recognized by UNESCO and its Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity project. As is faithfully depicted on this meerschaum, such ceremonies typically involve spinning dances performed by men in tall Sikke hats and long robes, with the latter giving the dance its characteristic “whirl” as its pace increases.

The condition is great. Minor wear to the rim and slight carbonization of the chamber, but nothing major. It’s already begun to color very nicely. This pipe comes with its original custom-fitted case.

 

Details:

Length: 6.5″ / 165.1mm

Bowl Width: 0.92 / 23.36mm

Bowl Depth: 1.61″ / 40.89mm

Weight: 2.3oz / 66g