Pijpenkop 1760 - 1800

This is a fragment of a clay pipe bowl, likely made in the Netherlands, although the exact date and maker remain uncertain. The decoration is intriguing. We can see what appears to be a figure and some symbols molded into the clay. The popularity of tobacco in the 17th and 18th centuries created a mass market for these pipes, and the designs evolved to reflect a range of cultural and political themes. The presence of figures or emblems indicates a move beyond purely functional design. Perhaps it alludes to a specific political event, a popular folk tale, or even a coded message relating to social critique or rebellion. As historians, we can look to the Dutch archives, explore the iconography of the period, and compare it to other examples of decorative arts to better understand the object's meaning and place within its historical context.