Summary

This clay tobacco pipe was excavated during one of the digs conducted at the Commonwealth Block site between 1988 and 2003. It was manufactured by Thomas White & Co, Edinburgh, who made pipes between 1823 - 1876.

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

Description for Parent: Tobacco pipe bowls and stems BOWLS 1 x large pipe with "FRANK" facing stem 1 x med. pipe with oak leaf spur & decoration 1 x small pipe with "WHITE & O EDIN' facing stem 1 x large pipe with long stem & incised circle facing s em and circles & stripes on stem. 1 x plain bowl with unadorned spur. All Thomas White & Co., Edinburgh, made pipes between 1823 - 1876.

Physical Description

Plain pipe, near complete, impressed makers mark on bowl.

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