PIPE (SMOKING)

Incomplete fragment of a clay tobacco pipe bowl of late post medieval date (1640-1660). The pipe fragment measures 40.2mm length, outer diameter 14.3mm, inner diameter 10.2mm, heel diameter 13.5mm, weight 7.63 grams. The information within this report is taken from an identification provided by Dr David Higgins of Liverpool University. Thanks are extended to Dr Higgins and Mr Graham Berlyn for their time and comments.

The pipe fragment comprises an un-burnished bowl with a milled and bottered rim and a stem bore of 7/64". The pipe is made of quite a fine fabric without any visible inclusions and the heel is stamped with a relief mark reading PF. 'F' is an unusual surname initial and this piece was almost certainly made by the same, as yet unidentified, maker as a group of PF pipes recovered from excavations at The Wharfage in Ironbridge (Shropshire) (Higgins 1985). The Ironbridge finds are slightly earlier in date to the Newport example and may well have been made at a kiln site in Ironbridge itself by one of the earliest Shropshire makers, who appears to have been working c1620-1660. The Newport example is particularly interesting since it appears to represent both a new bowl form and a new stamp type for this maker. Furthermore, the fine fabric is unusual for Shropshire, as is the bowl form, which is more reminiscent of mid-seventeenth century Chester styles. This is an interesting piece that adds to our knowledge of this early maker and his products.