Signed Sara Ayers Catawba "Chiefs Head" Pottery Clay Pipe, 1970's

I just got this yesterday, it is a clay pipe made by master potter Sara Ayers, of the Catawba Native American tribe. Mrs. Ayers was born in 1919 and passed in 2002. In the collecting world of Native American pottery, her work is highly regarded and very sought after. I usually only collect Native American basketry but I have from time to time, wandered off into different categories of items made by Native American tribes. I have beaded items, dolls, a teddy bear made with Seal Skin and Wampum jewelry made by Elizabeth James Perry and Andrew Hunter.

Anyhow, I bought one of Sara Ayers' wedding jugs a couple of years ago and I just love it. I put that up on this website as soon as I got it and I also began actively searching to see if any other pieces that might be out there for sale.

I had never seen a pipe made by Sara Ayers, and I have searched her name all over the internet looking at her pottery that was put up for sale. I did find some but they were either unsigned, damaged or way out of my price range. But about 3 or 4 days ago, I was running searches on a few sites late at night and I got a hit. When I looked at the screen and got a good look at what was on the page it made me very happy. It was of this pipe made by Ayers and it was in perfect condition and it was still in my range as far as the price.

This pipe is shaped with what Sara called the "Chief's Head", and I have seen it on many pottery works of hers. But I have never seen it used for a pipe like this. I am sure that there are others out there, but I have only seen this one and I have actively looked for her pottery for almost 3 years now.

This pipe is almost 3 inches from the bottom of the "Chiefs Head" chin, all the way up to the highest part of the "headdress". The face is just done so nicely, the eyes and the shape of the nose and the mouth even has a small smile on it. There are other decorations on the headdress and the face. It is signed by Sara Ayers on the smaller opening behind the face. The pipe opening is about 1 inch in diameter and the opening at the top of the headdress is 1 and 2/3 wide. Hope you like the pics :)