Xhosa Shoe Pipe - South Africa

A rare, unusually large Xhosa pipe in the form of a shoe.

This wonderfully playful pipe typifies the creative brilliance of South Nguni pipe makers. European footwear must surely have been intriguing to barefooted Xhosa carvers and the artist's fascination with European shoes has led him to incorporate it into this masterful pipe. A great example of the melding of African and European material culture that make the art from southern Africa so interesting and exciting to scholars and collectors alike.

Shoe is 6" wide, 3" high
Stem is 13" long