Not many carved briar faces are worth posting, not that we get many. This one, however, from Austria, is, if only because it’s from Austria. I wonder if it was done by one of the old meerschaum carvers from Austria that once did all those magnificent pieces until Ataturk, justifiably, refused to let raw material out of Turkey only to have value added outside it’s country of origin. In any case, this face, whether it represents a Cavalier or something, or somebody, else, is worthy. The vulcanite stem is pristine and the draw is open, but there is a tiny chink in the brim of the cap and some discoloration on the hat that I might be able to fix with some stain, although no promises. You can see the issue in the photos. Grp. 5 size. It it was smoked, it was for a moment only…it might well be unsmoked.
6.25” long, bowl 2.3” tall. Weight: 1 7/8 oz., 53 grams.