Fragment pijpenkop 1750 - 1780

Editor: This is a fragment of a carved ceramic pipe bowl from the Rococo period, around 1750 to 1780, by Antoni Nobel. It looks so delicate, despite being made of ceramic. What strikes me is that this seemingly mundane object has such intricate floral decorations. How do you interpret this work, especially as a fragment? Curator: Well, it's fascinating how this fragment allows us to delve into the socio-cultural history of the period. Tobacco smoking was already a widespread global phenomenon at the time. The pipe, therefore, becomes a conduit not only for substance, but for global trade routes and colonial power dynamics, don’t you think? The Rococo style itself, with its ornate floral motifs, mirrors a culture of excess and privilege of the elites, far removed from the harsh realities of those exploited in the tobacco production. What can this object, in its fragmented state, tell us about how wealth was created and distributed in 18th century? Editor: That is not something I'd ever considered! That it represents so many different cultures in one little piece, a trade system of colonial power that would oppress the very people whose culture the traders profited from. And what about the fragmentation? It is incomplete; what is the historical reason behind that? Curator: The fragmented state also speaks volumes. Was it discarded after being damaged? Or deliberately broken as an act of protest or resistance, however small? Material culture often becomes charged with such meaning. I think its important to ponder who owned it. The luxury aesthetic is telling, isn’t it? Editor: So much can be seen from one broken smoking pipe! Curator: Absolutely. Everyday objects offer invaluable perspectives, providing tangible links to lived experiences and power structures that often go unacknowledged in traditional histories. Thanks for discussing this with me! Editor: Thanks to you, too. This discussion was truly eye-opening.