The Calabash pipe is arguably the most iconic and timeless pipe shape.  It's whismical and distinctive shape make it immediately recognizable even amongst non-pipe enthusiasts.  The Calabash pipe originated in Southern Africa in the 1600's and was made famous by Authur Conan Doyle's character Sherlock Holmes, thus the Calabash became popular in England in the 19th century.

The pipe is handmade from the Calabash gourd fitted with a meerschaum bowl.  I found my cool Calabash pipe in an antique store in New Bern.  It was unsmoked, undamaged, and practically looked like new.  And it was only $40.  All of the previously-owned Calabash pipes I had come across were either missing the meerschaum bowl or the meerschaum bowl was cracked.  In one case, I found a nice Calabash pipe in another antique shop and had decided to purchase it, but something told me inspect it closer.  After taking it apart before purchasing it I found the meerschaum bowl was cracked and someone had attempted to glue it back together. 

CAVEAT EMPTOR!

Finer quality larger Calabash Meershaums sell for as  much as $400 online.  I couldn't wait to pay the man fast enough.  I would've paid $65 for it.  That day I took it home to add to my pipe collection.  Problem was, I didn't have a way to safely store or display it without lying it down on its side.  So I made my Calabash pipe stand from Red Oak stained a light honey oak color.   I didn't want any finished that might affect the gourd, so I left it unfinished with just a hand-rubbed carnuba wax buffing.