Summary
This clay tobacco pipe was excavated during on of 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
One French pipe: Moulded leaves underneath and makers mark. One plain pipe with spur, probably Glasgow. One stem and mouthpiece, Davidson Glasgow. One stem fragment Birmingham. One stem decorated diagonally with repeating squares and ovals. Stem and mouth.
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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Manufacturer
Thomas White & Co., Edinburgh, Scotland, Great Britain, 1823-1876
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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
On one stem "...iolet / a St Omer / Depose". On one stem "W. . // OW". On one stem "DAVIDSON // GLASGOW" with decorative border. One stem: "BALTIC // YACHTER". On stem: "WKES & Co / BIRMINGHAM / 1". On stem: decoration. On stem: "BURN. // EDIN:
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Activity
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Specific Activity
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Decoration
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Moulding
Moulded
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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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Dimensions
56.6 g (Weight)
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References
L.J.Mahony:The Pits: a methodological analysis of artefacts from the CCS
110 Pages
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Keywords