Nidichi Weeping Hearts Pipe






During the westward expansion of the new white settlers, treaties of trade and peace were arranged with the local Indian tribes. As a token of high esteem, many times an ornate pipe tomahawk would be presented to the chief of the tribe. Because tobacco smoking was an essential element of Indian life, the pipe tomahawk was highly treasured by its owner.

Nidichi has chosen to recreate the ornate pipe tomahawks of the past as his reminder of the ways of a lifestyle and culture that are rapidly being lost in history. They are as much a reminder to the Indian peoples as to the rest of the world. This Nidichi Weeping Hearts Pipe is one of his earlier works and is an exclusive piece as Nidichi never duplicates any of his pipes exactly.




One of the most unique and outstanding features of this strikingly beautiful Nidichi pipe is the piercing of the blade with the weeping heart and his use of intense heat to color finish the metal of the head. Some call it fire blue or charcoal blue and it involves a time consuming process to carefully apply the heat selectively to the surface of the metal to juxtapose the colors we find in this specimen.






Clicking on the images will provide a closer view of the details of this piece. Clicking the White X in the upper right corner will return you to the text.

While the dominant color is gold to dark straw, gorgeous displays of indigo and cobalt blue hide in the recesses around the bowl and down the sides of the chevrons at the base of the bowl. Peacock blue, lavender and purple also adorn the top and bottom surfaces as well as the decorative scallops on the edges of the blade.




The haft (shaft) is of select Oregon black walnut which displays a beautiful rippling effect as light plays on the hand-rubbed oil-finished surface and illuminates the curl of the grain structure beneath. The weeping heart motif is carried onto both sides of the haft in the form of inlaid Dutch silver. The wood to metal fit of Nidichi’s inlays and the mouthpiece is perfect with no gaps or any visible securing pins. The metal and wood seem to simply grow together.

Each weeping heart on the haft is pierced by an inlaid black arrow which extends from the Dutch silver mouthpiece almost to the head. So far as we know, this is the only Nidichi piece that bears the weeping heart motif pierced by the black arrow which is symbolic of the deep sorrow he feels for the Indian people. It is said that the black arrow contains powdered black obsidian from the sacred Glass Buttes of central Oregon.




Two additional decorative black inlays finish the top and bottom of the haft between the weeping hearts.

The top portion of the haft, where the head is secured, is a full band of Dutch silver and appears to incorporate a full metal cap piece, while a nicely turned and polished clean-out plug of streaked ebony finishes off the very top, or “eye” of the haft. Hidden away on the lower side of the mouthpiece is the Nidichi “thundercloud” trademark. 

The pipe is supported by clear Lucite pillars secured into a beautiful black walnut base.




























It is rumored that the owner of the Weeping Hearts Pipe paid $5000 for it several years ago. That price seems to validate the general consensus that Nidichi art is so unique that collectors will pay dearly to acquire an example.


If you wish to commission a piece of Nidichi art, please contact us, the friends of Nidichi, at: Nidichi@RadicalConcepts.info.







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