Hookahs Vaporizers Tobacco Pipes More Cool Stuff! X
9869 E. Fern Street
Miami, FL 33157
Handblown Glass
Hand Carved
Turkish Meerschaum
Imported & Domestic
Briar Wood
Miami Pipe Club
Sioux Calumet (Peace Pipe)
Wahpeton Sioux Catlinite Pipe Bowl with Calumet Pipe Stem

A Brief History of Pipe Smoking..

Humans have engaged in pipe smoking for over 3000 years, possibly longer. It is a tradition almost as old as civilization itself. Ancient Babylonians, Greeks & Egyptians were all familiar with pipes and pipe smoking. The first tobacco pipes were possibly developed by the ancient Mayans who considered tobacco to be a sacred, magical plant and an important part of their ceremonies and society.

The shapes, materials and contents of pipes varied across the Americas as much as the civilizations who crafted them. They could be carved from wood or molded using firebaked clay. They were often sculpted with creative patterns, designs and animal shapes.

The Aztecs and Mayans predominantly smoked cigars and cigarettes, but also used pipes during ceremonies and recreationally.

Mayan relief depicting smoking
Mayan priest smoking in a carving in the Temple at Palenque, Mexico

Traveling along native trading routes long before the arrival of the first Europeans, pipe smoking took on religious and ceremonial importance in North America as well.
The most famous of these, the North American "peace pipe" of the Sioux and other plains Indians, was called a Calumet and could be intricately carved and decorated with feathers, beads, animal fur and other ornaments related to the individual owner. These pipes often had bowls carved from "pipe stone," naturally occurring minerals valued for their fine grain and high gloss when polished. The less ornate pipes made for everyday use were as important as the more decorative pipes typically only used for ceremonial purposes.

The 17th through 18th century was a transformative time period for pipes. During ancient times, smoking pipes were often used for incense, opium, hashish or other spiritual herbs. By the 16th century, tobacco smoking had spread across both Europe and Asia. In India, Hakim Abu'l-Fath Gīlānī (d. 1588), an Iranian physician at the court of the Mughal emperor Akbar is credited with inventing what has come to be known as a hookah. In Turkey, Meerschaum was discovered and quickly became prized for it's fire-resistance and ability to be carved into highly decorative beautiful, functional works of art. From France, Briar pipes became popularized due to their natural fire-resistance and the wood's ability to absorb moisture. The most popular traditional pipes are carved of Briar wood.

Glass-blowing, an art form first developed during the Roman Empire over 2000 years ago, has in recent times revolutionized the pipe smoking experience. Borosilicate glass, a form of glass that is non-porous and heat-resistant, is the material of choice for the modern pipe smoker. They can be blown into many fantastic forms and shapes and many even change color with use. Hand-blown, highly collectible and absolutely unique, each pipe is a stunning work of art.

In addition to our hookahs, glass, briar wood & meerschaum pipes, we also carry simple pipes made of metal, wood, acrylic, ceramic, stone & corn cob. These are usually lower priced alternatives to the better quality glass, briar wood & meerschaum pipes. We are very proud to feature exceptional examples such as the All American Monkey Pipes, Hawaiian Lava Stoneware Celebration Pipes & more!

A Tobacconist is an expert dealer in tobacco and related accoutrements.