Pijpenkop 1670 - 1690

This object is a clay pipe bowl, made anonymously somewhere in the world. The material itself is the key to understanding its significance. Clay, a humble substance, is transformed through skillful hand-molding or industrial forming into a vessel for personal ritual. Its texture is rough, porous, and absorbent. Once fired, it becomes robust enough to repeatedly withstand the heat of burning tobacco, but is also fragile, which is perhaps why this pipe bowl is broken. The making of a pipe bowl involves various processes, from mining and processing the raw clay, to shaping, firing, and decorating the final product. This is a relatively simple object, so it’s likely that it was mass produced and widely distributed. The presence of initials on the bowl suggests a personal connection, an individual asserting ownership over this everyday object. By considering the pipe bowl in terms of its material origins and the labor involved in its production, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the object as a cultural artifact.