Ornately carved from meerschaum – a versatile clay like material – this extravagant cigar holder was made to celebrate the coronation of Ludwig II (1845-1886) in 1864. The pipe shows the royal coach led by six horses. Monarch of Bavaria until his death, Ludwig had a passion for building fairytale-like castles, but was also a significant patron of the arts. Known variously as The Swan King, the Fairy Tale King and latterly ‘Mad King Ludwig’, he was controversially declared ‘insane’ shortly before apparently committing suicide in suspicious circumstances in 1886. - See more at: sciencemuseum.org.uk/online_science/explore_our_collections/objects/index/smxg-157142#sthash.1uspYQ2j.dpuf
Posted on: Tue, 20 Jan 2015 11:27:58 +0000
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