CAO Gourd Calabash

The traditional Gourd Calabash is one of the most distinctive designs in pipe making, built around a naturally grown and dried gourd fitted with a removable meerschaum bowl. The large open chamber beneath the bowl allows the smoke to expand and cool before reaching the stem, which is why genuine gourd Calabashes have long been known for providing an exceptionally cool, dry smoke. This CAO example features a beautifully shaped golden gourd, an ornate carved meerschaum cap with floral detailing, and a deep red stem that gives the pipe a particularly striking profile. CAO was an important name in the American meerschaum market, and examples from the brand remain well regarded by collectors. This pipe also comes with its original box, an increasingly difficult accompaniment to find with older CAO pieces.