Unusual Pipe with Cow and Flowers

A wooden decorated smoking pipe with a horn mouthpiece, metal hinged lid and brass chain.

An unusual pipe which, I was informed when I purchased it at a local antiques store, is an opium pipe. However, my research has revealed that it is a Swiss mountain tobacco pipe. It has a black coating and small metal flowers cover the whole piece. The pipe has a small stand on the bottom and a separate, but attached, mouthpiece.

The mouthpiece is made from horn and has a silver metal ring at the far end where is attaches to the pipe. The pipe has a hinged lid with four holes made from silver metal.

There is a silver metal animal on the bottom. At first, I thought it was a wolf, but on closer inspection, I believe it is a cow!

The pipe is in good condition and useable. The metal lid and stand are tarnished, but the animal and the mouthpiece end are bright and shiny. The black paint covering has been chipped in a few places.

Not an opium pipe.