Early 20th Century Polychrome Porcelain Pipe Depicting Jonah And The Whale

Polychrome porcelain pipe with silver lid depicting Jonah and the whale.

Note: Jonah, a prophet, refuses to obey God's command to go to Nineveh (capital of the Assyrian Empire, a people considered enemies of Israel at the time. The Assyrians were known for their violence and attacks on other nations, including Israel). Jonah refuses to obey because he does not want God's mercy to extend to people he hates. He flees by boat, but a great storm breaks out. To calm the sea, the sailors throw Jonah into the water. A large fish swallows him. After three days and three nights of praying in its belly, the fish spits him out. Jonah finally accepts his mission, goes to Nineveh, and the inhabitants repent. God forgive them.

Reference: This pipe is illustrated on page 108 of the book "The European Porcelain Tobacco Pipe" by Dr Sarunas Peckus and Ben Rapaport.

Dimensions: height +/- 11 cm x depth +/- 14 cm.

The pictorial treatment of the whale is reminiscent of the "Art Deco" period (circa 1910/1920), probably of French origin.