Pipe of the Month April 2026

An Indian and a Crocodile by the Company Fiolet

From France, hardly any pipes with depictions of Indians are known. One of the few pipes featuring a Indian or native originates from the factory of the firm Fiolet in Saint-Omer. The figural stem pipe has, around the bowl, arrow-shaped leaves rising from the water and, on the left, a large flower floating on the water. From the leaves, on the stem side of the bowl, a crocodile emerges. On the stem, or rather integrated into the stem, lies a Indian with earrings, a loincloth, and a knife in his hand, ready to defend himself against the crocodile.
Stamped around the stem is the firm name L. FIOLET St. OMER FRANCE. On the left side of the stem, in relief, is the model number 1273, and on the right the letters LF (Louis Fiolet). The pipe is decorated with polychrome enamel painting in green, pink, blue, and black and was made in the period 1880–1910.