This pipe stem and pipe bowl is made of wood and stone, respectively. The stone pipe bowl is elbow or L-shaped and has several circles carved around each end, with additional carving at the bend of the elbow in the design of a sunburst. The pipe stem is long and rectangular and is decorated with eight brass nails on each side, some of which are missing. On the other side of the stem, rectangular shapes have been polished.
On March 16, 2015 during a NAGPRA collections review, designated tribal representatives from the three Ute tribes informed History Colorado staff that because this pipe may be made from catlinite, so it was most likely used for ceremonial purposes, but it may have also been used for leisurely smoking.
Thomas McKee (1854-1930)
Thomas M. McKee was born in Kentucky, but grew up in Nashville, TN. He trained as a photographer, but also often worked as a railroad express messenger and had interests in paleontology. He found his way to Montrose, CO in 1890 to set up a photography studio. He is believed to be one of the first photographers to take X-ray pictures. He introduced western Colorado to moving pictures in 1895.
He photographed Mesa Verde and much of the local mining activity. In the early 1900s he turned his interests to documenting the daily lives of Ute people in photographs. He also began to collect Ute artifacts and amassed one of the largest Ute collections in the United States. He was close friends with Ouray and Chipeta. History Colorado bought his collection in 1948. It consists of 232 items. 150 are beaded Ute pieces. This is our largest Ute collection.