Pijpenkop zonder deksel in de vorm van een buste van een Griekse krijgsman c. 1830

This small clay pipe, crafted by Dutch artist Matthijs Kessels around 1830, is a unique example of 19th-century decorative art. It is shaped as a bust of a Greek warrior wearing a helmet adorned with intricate details. This pipe, which measures only 8 cm in height, showcases Kessels's talent for capturing classical aesthetics in a miniature form. While serving a practical purpose, it also reflects the prevalent interest in antiquity during this period. The use of white clay, typical of pipe-making, emphasizes the sculpted details of the bust and helmet, making it a miniature work of art.