This is a "Creek" pipe found Southeast of Birmingham, Alabama, and dates to the late 1700's.  The material is a good grade of dark steatite.  The quality of this pipe is rare, and its size is large for a historic period pipe.  It is 5-1/2 inches long and 3 inches high.  This was probably not an every day pipe.  More than likely it was used for special occasions.   The time period that this pipe was associated with had just about stopped making pottery, arrowheads, and native goods.  They had become dependent on trade with the fur trappers and the trading post.  The white kaolin pipes had become so easy to get that spending their time hunting for quality material, and taking the time to make it was not necessary.  It was a long time tradition that had come to an end.  The finely produced arrowheads had been replaced by the musket.  The pottery of long tradition had been replaced by the more durable brass kettle.  And the shell beads of native manufacture had been replaced by glass and brass.  Another 10 to 15 years and the Creeks were living, and dressing, as the settlers and trappers that lived among them.   They were living in log cabins and raising cows, pigs, horses, and chickens to help support their families, and trading for other white man "goods" to further themselves from their old traditions and customs.  Other examples of Creek and Cherokee pipes can be seen on plates 105 - 106 of Sun Circles and Human Hands by Emma Lila Funderburk.