PIPE (SMOKING)

Three clay pipe bowls dating to the mid 18th century with makers' marks on the foot. On all the stem of the pipe has broken away with only a short section left attached to the bowl.

Pipe 1: The bowl is tall and circular in section with mostly straight sides curving over at the base. The mouth of the bowl is chipped and half is missing, the rim that remains is plain. The bowl is 19.9mm in maximum external diameter and 36.1mm tall (measured from the base of the stem excluding the foot). There is a round foot at the base, 7.6mm in diameter, it has an integrally cast maker's mark on one side of a capital letter M. The remains of the stem is 9.3mm in diameter with an internal perforation 1.7mm in diameter. It meets the bowl at a c.120 degree angle.

Pipe 2: The bowl is tall and circular in section with slightly concave sides curving over at the base. The mouth of the bowl is chipped and mostly missing, the rim that remains is plain. The bowl is 20.9mm in maximum remaining external diameter and 37.9mm tall (measured from the base of the stem excluding the foot). There is a round foot at the base, 7.4mm in diameter, it has an itegrally cast maker's mark which is the same as that on pipe 3 with a rose on one side and an unclear cypher, posible IR: on the other. The remains of the stem is 8.6mm in diameter with an internal preforation 1.7mm in diameter. It meets the bowl at a c.120 degree angle.

Pipe 3: The bowl is tall and circular in section with slightly concave sides curving over at the base. The mouth of the bowl is chipped and missing. The bowl is 20.3mm in maximum remaining external diameter. There is a round foot at the base, 7.6mm in diameter, it has an itegrally cast makers mark which is the same as on pipe 2 with a rose on one side and an unclear cypher on the other. The remains of the stem is 8.6mm in diameter with an internal preforation 1.7mm in diameter. It meets the bowl at a c.120 degree angle. The use of a makers mark, shape of the bowl, size of foot and angle of connection with the stem suggest a c.1740-1760 AD date. u

None of the makers' marks were listed in the catalogues available, that may be because they are Kentish or from London rather than Sussex makers.