Summary

This tobacco pipe was excavated at one of the digs conducted at the Commonwealth Block site between 1988 and 2003. This style of pipe has been identified as a 'Murray' pipe. Murray pipes were made between 1830-1861.

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 an almost complete clay tobacco pipe. The long stem, which is missing the mouth piece, conjoins with the bowl which has a plain spur and is decorated with a maker's mark facing the stem.

Physical Description

Description for Parent record: 6 fragments of ceramic tobacco pipes. 4 x stem fragments, 1 x complete, 1 x lettering reading "GLASGOW', 1 x lettering reading 'CUTTY'on one side and "McDO' onthe other and 1 x plain. 1 x bowl fragment with oval mark and letters 'T W'. 1 x bowl and stem, 90% complete, mouth piece missing. Small dot pattern around top of stem. Long stem fragment and bowl conjoin. Murray. Linda Mahony has identified one as a 'Murray' pipe, made between 1830-1861.

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