17TH TO 19TH CENTURY

CLAY PIPES WERE INTRODUCED TO ENGLAND IN THE LATE 16TH CENTURY. THE DESIGNS OF BOWLS AND STEMS GRADUALLY EVOLVED THROUGH FLUCTUATIONS IN TOBACCO SUPPLY AND SOCIAL FASHIONS. BY THEIR NATURE THE PIPES WERE NOT DURABLE AND WERE DISPOSED OF FREQUENTLY GIVING RISE TO A HUGE INDUSTRY IN MANUFACTURE. ONE OF THE LARGEST PRODUCERS BEING THE RODEN COMPANY WHO RECEIVED AN HONOURABLE MENTION AT THE GREAT EXHIBITION IN 1851. CONVERSELY THE THROW AWAY CUSTOM HAS MEANT THAT FEW ENTACT PIPES HAVE SURVIVED.