Anonymous

These delicate yet practical forms were fashioned from the pseudobulbs and stems of the banana orchid, Cayman’s national flower. Though their exact origin is unknown, the presumed maker creatively adapted the native flora for everyday needs.

Donated by master craftsperson Carmen Connolly, these pipes reflect a broader legacy of Caymanian craft. These modest objects reflect more than resourcefulness, they embody an intimate relationship the people had with the land. The use of organic material suggests a deep, inherited understanding of what the local environment could offer, long before mass-produced goods became commonplace.

These orchid pipes had a utilitarian function while having a rich cultural resonance, they exemplify a form of artistry often overlooked: one that is lived with, not merely looked at. Like many objects in this section, they challenge the boundaries of “art” by thriving within the rhythms of ordinary life. In doing so, they speak to the quiet ingenuity embedded in Cayman’s vernacular traditions.