Summary
These two tobacco pipe stems were excavated at the Commonwealth Block site between 1988 and 2003. The inscriptions suggest they are of French origin.
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
These two pipe stems are decorated with imprinted words spiraling around them.
Physical Description
Two stem fragments with French markings. Fiolet, St Omer (1765 - 1921). "GAMBIER/A PARIS/M*H/DEPOSE" (1890 - 1910).
More Information
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Collection Names
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Transfer from Heritage Victoria, Industry Superannuation Property Trust, 03 May 2005
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Place Made
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Inscriptions
Around stem: ""L.Fiolet./StOme."" (impressed). Around stem: ""G.oier/a Paris/M M/Depose"" (impressed). Inscription on second pipe:" O...bier...'a Paris...m*H...Depose"
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Context Number
27/22
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Site
[TCS] Australia, Victoria, Commonwealth Block, Melbourne
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Distinguishing Marks
Around stem: "L.Fiolet./St Ome." (impressed). Around stem: "G.bier/a Paris/M * H/Depose" (impressed).
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Activity
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Specific Activity
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Form
Cylindrical
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Provenance
France
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Exhibition Collection Management
46 mm (Length), 7 mm (Width), 7 mm (Height), 6 g (Weight)
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References
Richard Cumpston Jones, 2012, "Saint-Omer and the British Connection" P.95 ISBN: 978-1-4478-7482-9 - for Fiolet pipe. [Link 1] Amsterdam Pipe Museum, object no: 19 392 hp for Paris pipe.
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Keywords
