PIPE (SMOKING)

An incomplete clay tobacco pipe, dating to the late 17th / early 18th century, and missing part of the stem and part of the bowl and mouth. It measures 85.37mm in incomplete length, stands 36.09mm high and weighs 13.92g.

The bowl is swollen (max.20.16mm diameter) with a narrowed mouth (c.17mm diameter) and convex curved between the mouth and foot on both sides. The foot measures c.4mm in diameter at its base and is c.6mm long. The stem measures 9.11mm in diameter with a hole 2.8mm in diameter.

On the upper face of the stem, just beyond the bowl, are the incuse letters RICH // ARD.S // AYE

David Higgins comments: "The incuse stamped stem mark would have originally have read RICH/ARD.S/AYER and this pipe was made by one of the Richard Sayer's (alias Lawrence), who worked at East Woodhay in the north-west of Hampshire, near Newbury. There appear to have been two makers of this name, who occur in the records from at least 1685-1716 (Cannon 1991, 25). It is not known how long the second Richard Sayer worked in East Woodhay, although the style of the pipes that are found suggest that the workshop probably continued until around 1730. The Chilbolton example dates from c1690-1730 and is typical of the Sayer pipes produced at East Woodhay, which were widely marketed. Cannon (1991, 25) notes examples of these pipes from Basing, Chilton Foliat, Coleshill, Littlecote, London, Marlborough, Newbury, Oxford, Poulton, Salisbury, Swindon, Wanborough, Winchester and Virginia, USA. The author has also recorded examples from Reading and Southampton and it is clear that the Sayer's were not only very prolific makers but also that they were able to find a market for their wares over a wide area. One reason for this may have been the superior quality of their products. Their pipes usually have a nicely burnished (polished) surface, as is the case with this example" (David Higgins Pers. Comm. 2012)

Reference: Cannon P, 1991, 'Evidence of Tobacco Pipe Making in East Woodhay & District', Transactions of Newbury and District Field Club, 14.1, 16-27.