Beschreibung:

Confederate cotton stone folk art pipe carved by POW who served time at McDowell Medical College, which was converted to Gratiot Street Military Prison in St. Louis, MO, during the Civil War. In comparison with other examples carved at the same prison, this pipe is very small and different in shape. Front of bowl features low relief carving of an eagle in flight, clutching what appears to be a small stars and bars Confederate flag on a pole, positioned above the incised carved phrase, Gone / South, over small relief carved crossed flags and cannon barrels. A large building with a tall dome at center and two smaller wings at each side is represented in relief on the left side of the bowl and is identified in incised carved script as McDowell College. A small American flag is clearly flying atop the dome. The incised carved date 1862 is visible at the pointed base, below the college. A large Confederate stars and bars flying atop a slanted flagpole is carved in relief on the bowl's right side. Each corner at the top of the bowl includes a small, relief carved five-point star, and the small bridge piece connecting the top of the bowl to the mouth of the stem is neatly incised carved with the initials, A.E.M. Maximum width 2 in.; triangular shaped square bowl ht. 1.375 in., width on each side approx. 1 in. Provenance: Property of N. Flayderman & Co. Condition: Pipe shows some wear, including chip where front and left side of bowl meet. Carved details still visible.