Summary

This bowl of a clay tobacco pipe was excavated during one of the archaeological digs conducted at the Commonwealth Block site between 1988 and 2003. This pipe is known as a 'Squatters Own Budgeree' or a 'Squatter's Bungaree' due to the scenes depicted on the bowl. This style of pipe was made after 1838.

A pipeful of tobacco was long-lasting and its aroma disguised the stench of Melbourne's streets. The short clay pipe favoured by working men was called a 'cutty'. Being made of brittle clay, these pipes broke easily, explaining the abundance of fragments uncovered at Little Lon. Of the pipes excavated, many were decorated with slogans, patriotic symbols, even jokes and caricatures, hinting at the identities of those who smoked them.

Physical Description

This is part of the stem and the bowl with a spur of a clay pipe. The bowl has a detailed scene, on each side. On one side, a man on an island smoking a pipe, and on the other side there are two figures, a man and possibly a woman, fighting. The two fighting figures are depictions of Aborigines, which contrasts with the wealthy and comfortable squatter and the degradation of the original inhabitants of the land he now occupies.

Physical Description

Description for Parent Record: Clay tobacco pipe stem and bowl. Bowl has detailed scene, on both sides. Man on island smoking pipe, man and woman (?) fighting. The two fighting figures are depictions of Aborigines, and there is a contrast between the wealthy and comfortable squatter and the degradation of the original inhabitants of the land he now occupies. Known as a Squatters Own Budgeree. known as a 'Squatter's Bungaree"

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