Indian Pipes & Smoking Practices

Are you an Indian artifact enthusiast who wants to know more about pipes? Have you ever wanted to carve a Native American pipe of your own? Do you wonder what sacred meaning these works of art may have had for the ancient people who made them? Then this book is for you! This fully-illustrated presentation contains large, detailed pen & ink sketches of over 400 Native American tobacco pipes from throughout North America. Included in the text (whenever possible) are ages of the pipes, materials they were made from, and regions where they have been found. Most of the primary meanings of the old animal or bird effigy pipes are forever lost in time, but provided here are clues based on Animal Totem interpretations from other, more recent Native American cultures. These beliefs could perhaps be similar to those of the original pipe artisans, which can be particularly helpful if you want to make a pipe that is more personalized for you. Also included is a glossary of pipe-making materials, and even illustrations of the flint tools used by the Old Ones for handcrafting their pipes. If you are interested in the history, lore and spiritual significance of these ancient works of art, this book is a must-read.