Large Reservist's Pipe, Tyrol, Wood, Horn, Porcelain, Dragon, Germany, 20th Century

Large German Imperial Reserve pipe, known as the “Tyrolean” pipe, made of polychrome porcelain, walnut, and deer antler. Assembled from several parts (a system known as “Cavalier”; in German, “Gesteckpfeife” = pipe with interlocking sections). Mecklenburg Dragoon Regiment. Early 20th century. From the private collection of Gilbert Guyot*

This pipe is in good condition. A fine example of Tyrolean pipes, characterized by their structure featuring a diamond-shaped (or teardrop-shaped) reservoir located beneath the bowl. This design was intended to trap moisture and tobacco juice. This diamond-shaped reservoir is engraved here with the name of its owner, Wilhelm Rey, who served from 1906 to 1909.

The decoration on the pipe’s porcelain bowl is also very interesting. The regiment indicated is the 2nd Squadron of the 18th Dragoon Regiment of the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg, based in Pachim. The owner’s name is Drag. Ballerman (served from 1900 to 1903), along with the famous German imperial motto “Sieg oder Tod!” (“Victory or Death!”). The illustration faithfully depicts a dragoon (cavalryman) in full charge. On the other side is the complete list of his comrades.

This pipe has therefore been reassembled (the bowl from the “Dragon Ballermann” combined with the wooden stem from the “Dragon Rey”), a very common practice among collectors of similar antique pipes.

Also note the beautiful, fully sculpted section depicting a galloping horse, a reference to the owner’s role as “Dragon.”

Please note: a few minor imperfections on the wood and horn, as well as signs of wear from age; please examine the photos closely for details and the assembly.

Author of two essential books for enthusiasts of French pipes, *Le Pipier de Paris* (1984) and *Pipiers français, History and Traditions" in 1992. He began his career at age 14 in 1961 in the workshop of his father, Henri Guyot, a Parisian pipe maker who had himself taken over the shop from the Parisian pipe maker Auguste Goltsché at 7 Avenue de Clichy in Paris in 1937. Auguste Goltsché was the son of François Goltsché, a pipe turner in Vienna, who had moved to Paris in 1883. He went on to purchase several pipe shops in Paris, including “L’Indien” and then “L’Oriental.” His son Auguste opened two shops, one on the Passage des Panoramas and the other at 7 Avenue de Clichy. Upon his death in 1937, H. Guyot took over the shop at 7 Avenue de Clichy under the name “Bloc d’Ambre” (a name that was dropped when the store reopened in 1945). In addition to writing two extremely interesting books, Gilbert Guyot began working as a pipe maker in 1961 alongside his father Henri; together, they crafted beautiful pipes. When his father retired in 1969, he took over the shop, running it until 1995. Gilbert Guyot retired to Trégastel.

• Total length 192 cm
• F30 1272
• All photos are available at:
  www.antiques-delaval.com