In England especially, pieces of clay pipe are very common finds in the soil and while it is not always possible to identify exactly who made them I am usually able to advise dates and likely origin; sometimes the maker. Do write and show me your finds; they may not all be worth much but from time to time some interesting examples can be of great value in research.
At this time I am aiming to focus more on older clay pipes found in Devonshire, England. If you have come across fragments in this area then do let me know. In particular I am looking for finds from anywhere in Devon and bordering counties of Dorset, Somerset and Cornwall. Older finds from sites such as rivers, old farms, manor houses, cottages etc would be idealso that I can record and research the industry in this area and compare styles. Sites revealing finds dating from 1580 through to 1840 are very suitable. Broken pieces of plain or decorated pipes are fine. You may have found pieces in your garden or your local community might be doing research and want to know more about them.
My e-mail address is:
Or write to:
Hayes Barton in Devon, England. Birth place of Sir Walter Raleigh the famous Devon born Sea Captain and Pirate who founded the Virginia Colony in the New World and was later sent in search of El Dorado Gold in South America. He is also known for making the habit of smoking in England popular in the Tudor period.
Religious leaders of the time as well as King James Ist were not keen on the idea of this filthy habit and people were persecuted for smoking. I wonder what Sir Walter would have to say about the recent smoking bans; history has once again come a full circle. Perhaps blowing bubbles is a healthier option!
It is said that when his servant first saw him smoking he thought that he was on fire and threw water over his head! So I have made up a little ditty which I hope you will find amusing...
"Sir Walter smoked a pipe of clay
or the Olde Devonshire version might sound like this
"Zur Wal'er smok't a poipe a clay
My CD ROM "The Art & Archaeology of Clay Tobacco Pipes" available only through this website contains lots of useful information as well as hundreds of photographs of clay pipes dating from about 1580 until the present day. Follow the links below to find out how you can order your copy. Price is just £6.00
A Short History of Clay Pipes and my own interest in this topic
Dawnmist Clay Pipes, Collectors Pipes and Antique Pipes for Sale
Join the Society for Clay Pipe Research here... (SCPR)
The Bristol Auction of WD & HO Wills Pipes and Tobacciana - 2002
Books and other Publications about Clay Tobacco Pipes
Illustrations of 378 Clay Pipes...
Heather's Fluffy World - Share my other interests
Dawnmist Studio Shop... an unusual variety of products for sale!
"Almost everything you could wish to know about Clay Tobacco Pipes"
Study by Heather Coleman
You are visitor
My interest in clay pipes as an amateur archaeologist and clay pipe maker are shared with you here...
I have been collecting clay pipes for about 30 years and have built up a vast library of information as well as doing my own research and publications on the subject. I am also a member of the Society for Clay Pipe Research (details of how to join are given below).
APPEAL FOR CLAY PIPE FINDS FROM DEVON NEEDED FOR STUDY...
If you are writing to me I will always try to answer your questions, letters and e-mails as soon as possible, however, this may take several days because of the sheer number of questions I get, sometimes up to 30 a week. Please be Patient! When writing do include a picture of the pipe if possible as this can help a lot in basic identification.
heather@dawnmist.org
Dawnmist Studio, PO Box 348, Exeter EX4 2YQ, Devon, England
Regional English Styles c.1650-1750
The general shape of the English clay pipe bowl was similar all over the country until about the middle of the 17th century. At this time the industry really began to flourish and by the 1720 period there were pipe makers in all the major towns and cities. The size of the bowl had doubled to hold more tobacco which had become very affordable and the style of the bowl varied from region to region. Leading centres such as London and Bristol produced elegant slender shapes that contrasted with the thicker rugged looking pipes smoked by country folk. The photograph here shows a variety of these from locations including London, Bristol, Devon, Wiltshire, Shropshire and the North of England.
Dawnmist Studio clay tobacco pipes are made not far from this historic house.
The latest habit of his day
His servant thought he did'nt ought'er
came and doused his head with water!"
The latest 'abit of ee's day
Ee's zervan' thort 'ee didn' ough'er
Came an' doused 'ee's 'ed wiv wa'er
Jacob Pipes
There were over 200 variations of the Jacob pipe copied by makers all over
Europe. Although the original design was created as early as the 1840 period the
majority commonly found come from the 1880-1926 period and were most often made by big firms such as Gambier of Paris.
Gambier were the largest and most famous of pipe makers and flourished in the
1850-1920 period. They were winning gold medals for pipes in the mid 19th century
and producing over 26 million pipes a year, many using steam powered presses.
Other French firms such
as Fiolet of St Omer and Noel Brothers had their versions of Jacob too. Germany, Belgium,
Holland and England have versions, some of which were still being made in the
1950's. Some moulds exist and are occasionally used by collectors to make small
batches today. I have created my own version for world famous collections which is
the largest known bringing the Jacob pipe into the 21st century!
There were several sizes ranging from tiny novelty sizes of about 2cm
high to about 8cm high. A number on the side will be the mould/model number which is one of the
Jacob range.
Usually the head band reads "I am the Real Jacob" in French, and a little J.G stamp on
the base of the bowl (sometimes) was registered in March 1906 by J.Gambier. The firm closed in
1926.
These pipes usually had a cork push fitted with cherry-wood stalk and horn or
bakerlite (early plastic) mouth piece. Sometimes a decorative chord was attached to help hold the pipe
segments together.
The colours were painted on by hand and fired with opaque glazes which usually craze over time.
Jacobs were usually press moulded in 3 or even 5 part moulds and the seams neatly
trimmed. They were one of the most popular figural clay pipes ever designed and were
highly favoured by smokers not only because of the lavish design but because as the
clay was smoked it absorbed the juices and the bowl "seasoned" to a rich brown. The
coloured glazes, because they were opaque, would show up brightly making the
features stand out.
NOTE: all these illustrations and approx 1000 photographs are included on my CD ROM available only from this website. I also have a book available which is a printed version of the 378 designs given below, as well as other publications on the subject. Please go to the Dawnmist publications page as listed in the group of links above to find out more.
[2] 1790-1820 Ribs and Leaf designs
[3] 1790-1820 Ribs, Dots, Dashes, Leaf designs
[4] 1790-1820 Prince of Wales emblem
[5] 1790-1820 Prince of Wales emblem and Mixed Designs
[6] 1790-1820 Prince of Wales emblem, Abstract Floral designs
[7] 1790-1820 Ribs, Dots, Emblems, Floral
[8] 1820-1840 Ribs, Scallop, Leaf designs
[9] 1820-1840 Ribs, Floral, Emblems, Maritime
[10] 1820-1840 Floral, Symbolic, Heads
[11] 1900 period, Plain designs
[12] 1880-1930 Irish Pipes
[13] Late 19th Century-1930 RAOB Pipes
[14] 1840-1930 Commemorative, Abstract, Floral
[15] 1870-1930 Sport themes, Parachute jumps
[16] 1870-1930 Commemorative, Advertising
[17] 1860-1930 Floral, Abstract designs
[18] 1840-1930 Bird Claws
[19] 1860-1930 Plant designs
[20] 1870-1930 Animals, Hands, Fish
[21] 1910-1930 Miniature Pipes 1
[22] 1890-1930 Miniature Pipes 2
[23] 1860-1910 Heads 1
[24] 1880-1910 Heads 2
[25] 1880-1930 Large Advertique Pipes
[26] 1880-1930 Exotic Head designs 1
[27] 1880-1930 Exotic Head designs 2
[28] 1880-1930 Exotic Head designs 3
[29] 1880-1930 Exotic Head designs 4
A few of the world famous Dawnmist Studio pipes I made in 2000-2008
These pipes are occasionally available for sale when time and health allows!
Figural Pipes
French, Dutch and English figural pipes made between about 1860 and 1925. Animals, Birds, Fish, Famous people and various creatures.
