a highly detailed character portrait clay tobacco pipe bowl depicting an actor from the mikado.
possibly nanki-poo, ko-ko or maybe pooh-bah.
height ... 50mm
during the late victorian era ( late 19th century ) in the uk, the clay tobacco pipe industry experienced a major shift from producing simple, utilitarian smoking tools to manufacturing highly ornate, novelty and figural pipes. a notable niche within this trend was the production of clay pipes specially commissioned or themed around theatre productions, music hall shows and celebrity entertainers.
Following the massive, explosive success of gilbert and sullivans comic opera " the mikado" after its premiere at london's savoy theatre in 1885, a huge wave of merchandise hit the market. pipe manufacturers immediately jumped on the trend, capitalizing on londons new obsession with all things japanese.
