Decorated Clay Pipe

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Something to remember - these pipes would/could be cleaned by heating in a fire to burn out tar & stains. This would likely destroy any decoration if not impervious to heat (such as many mineral pigments should be).
 
We see paintings of fancy styling on pipes and cast clay or carved Mershaum are seen in Turks heads, pretty girls, ect. As BH said burning would burn off many paints. Pipes from digs or ship wrecks long since lost any painting IF it had any to begin with.
Central European porcelain pipes did get paintings on the bowl that were baked in but this was starting at the edge of our time frame here, middle Victorian age.
 
Ink is really not suitable for this application. If these were decorated than a glaze would have been used which would have been fused to the clay/ceramic during a firing operation. Glazes are quickly applied and can be done with stencils so this form of decoration can't be ruled out.
 
That would work, I don’t know how it would effect the cost. Pipes were made by the millions because they broke so easy. One would think in that case we would see some at archeological sites.
Absence from sites only proves no one lost one at a site. That argues though it would be rare. Paintings we do see painted on clay porcelain pipes were in European designs.
Even later in history when whites started buying beaded ”˜Indian clothing ”˜ the bead work tended to be made in European motifs, mostly floral. And works made for Indian trade still seemed to have been in European motifs.
 
tenngun said:
Even later in history when whites started buying beaded ”˜Indian clothing ”˜ the bead work tended to be made in European motifs, mostly floral.
This may be over-generalizing. There are Native floral motifs (Iroquois).
 
Yes it is, most any statement made about Indians, or Europeans, Levintines or Africans et al fails. Even cultural Groupslike ”˜northern Plains’ or ”˜ Southwestern’ have almost as many exceptions as rules.
 
I am having trouble accepting that sailors would even carry a delicate clay pipe like the one shown. Those are often referred to as 'tavern pipes'. After use they were put in a shelf or rack for later use. Carrying around in a pouch or pocket would be a guaranteed breakage loss. At least that's what methinks. :hmm:
Yes, clay fired pipes were often made with decorations or human images on them. A regular trader at Friendship used to sell them by the thousands. He dug them up from a site on the Kentucky River somewhere in the vicinity of Indiana/Ohio/Kentucky. He would never reveal where. I bought many from him and gave away most as gifts. Still have a few.
old%20pipes.jpg
 
Griz44Mag said:
Redstick Lee said:
i've lived with perfectionists......most are only so demanding of others and full of hot air themselves.

:grin:

RIGHT ON BROTHER LEE!!!!!
Rather than playing the Librarian/Stitch Nazi card, how about using it as a learning experience? Despite the attitude from detractors, people are posting useful information... :wink:
 
Rifleman1776 said:
old%20pipes.jpg


I can't post pics no way no how lately. Others can, I used to but stars are not in alignment anymore. Wassup? :idunno:
Still using Photobucket is your problem. Get rid of that beast.
 
Rifleman1776 said:
I can't post pics no way no how lately. Others can, I used to but stars are not in alignment anymore. Wassup? :idunno:

When you click on "Image", delete everything in that box before copying your image into it. PM me if you need anymore help on anything. :v

old%20pipes.jpg
 
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