This odd hardwood carving is an old European pipe bowl. I count seven animal heads and one grinning skull, along with some graceful leaves and a flower; there may even be a small aardvark. Fascinating from every angle, heads grow out of heads and morph into each other: a real animal phantasm. The interior of the bowl is clean but blackened from use – it smells only faintly smoky. 19th century or earlier.  #2085  $600   SALE  $500