Sevket Gezer XXL Claw & Floral Vase Estate Block Meerschaum Pipe, Unsmoked

Description

In the world of meerschaum, even more so than the world of briar, having one’s name put on one’s works is a privilege granted to very few carvers. Only those who have risen through the ranks of Turkey’s many meerschaum workshops and proved themselves as among the very best in the craft are granted that right, which typically takes form of a quite literal “signing” of the pipe itself. For every Baki, Kenan, Sabri, or Tekin, there are hundreds of craftsmen who will remain anonymous to those who enjoy their work.

Şevket Gezer is one of Turkey’s master carvers, one who has certainly earned the right to a name in the meerschaum world. Born in 1955, Gezer began his apprenticeship at the age of 15, learning to carve meerschaum pipes in the workshops of various midcentury masters. Later he would go on to work with renowned carvers such as Salim Şener (known simply as “Salim”), Mesut Gezer (aka Mesut) and Kudret Gezer (aka Kudret), before settling down and founding a workshop for himself.

Şevket is especially well known for his floral designs, so it’s nice to see them being put to work in this exceptionally large claw rendition. Instead of the more typical use of the claw motif, where it holds an egg (serving as the pipe’s bowl), this one clutches what looks like a ceremonial urn, with a mixture of floral and guilloche patterns circling it.

This pipe is completely unsmoked and comes with its original custom-fitted hard case.

Details:

Length: 7.9″ / 200.6mm

Bowl Width: 0.90 / 22.86mm

Bowl Depth: 1.90″ / 48.26mm

Weight: 2.8oz / 82g