Fragment van een pijpenkop uit het wrak van de Oost-Indiëvaarder 't Vliegend Hart Possibly 1700 - 1735

This clay pipe fragment, made by WS, comes from the wreckage of the Dutch East India ship, ‘t Vliegend Hart. The pipe, a common object of leisure, speaks volumes about the cultural currents of its time. Smoking, introduced to Europe after Columbus's voyages, quickly transformed from a New World curiosity to a widespread habit, laden with social and symbolic meanings. The pipe itself became a symbol of contemplation, camaraderie, and escape. Think of the Dutch Golden Age paintings where merchants and scholars are often depicted with pipes, signifying their worldly success and intellectual pursuits. Yet, this pipe's journey did not end in a cozy tavern. It sank with ‘t Vliegend Hart, becoming a relic of lost dreams and ambitions. Salvaged from the seabed, it now carries the weight of its submerged history, reminding us of the cyclical nature of human endeavors, rising and falling like the tides.