Beschreibung:

Folk art carved pipe, dark brown in color, possibly laurel root. Front of bowl features very high relief carved partial profile view of a large eagle with upraised wings, holding riband in claw with relief carved lettering Traitors Beware. (There was a small triangular shaped inlay (now lacking) obscuring just a few letters of Beware.) Extreme bottom of bowl features relief carved flower surrounded by two lines of carved lettering Chancellorville [sic] / Fredericksburg (b no longer present). With Bull Run / Antetam [sic] carved in high relief on left side of bowl, and Yorktown / Hanover carved in high relief on right side. Shank features large, relief carved acorn-like motif and branch design, with semi-circular lettering above identifying the pipe to H. Riffin. Co. F. 17. NYV. (second i in Riffin no longer present). Overall width 3 in.; bowl height 2.25 in., dia. 1.625 in. The 17th New York Volunteers mustered into the US service on May 28, 1861, for a two year term. It participated in Yorktown, the Peninsular Campaign, Manassas, Second Bull Run, Fredericksburg, and Chancelorsville. We were unable to find any documentation for a soldier by the name of H. Riffin who served with the 17th New York. Provenance: Property of N. Flayderman & Co. Condition: There was a small triangular shaped inlay (now lacking) obscuring just a few letters of "Beware." "b" in "Fredericksburg" no longer present. "i" in "Riffin" no longer present. Inventory number painted on bowl, near shank, below "Hanover." Cork inside shank. Few other chips in relief carved lettering. A very good example despite apparent use.