Description

This is a longer stem all clay pipe with a design which was popular over the late 18th and 19th century. It features a seated figure, supposed to be the Pope, I am told, other claim it is Saint Patrick. On the other side is a figure mounted on a horse – possibly Saint George, patron saint of soldiers, or Saint Michael. I have seen originals of this pipe motif and they are often poorly detailed and sometimes difficult to discern at all. (a few have been painted by hand in order to show more detail or personalize by the smoker) They were popular and apparently sold by the score to Catholic men on both continents, with an emphasis on the Irish. The maker indicated it is one of the most used molds he has, apparently a pipe with historically significant demand in the market. Overall length is 8″. Each piece bears the period label of S. Rosenfeld & Sons, Baltimore, a documented dealer in such goods. (unused original pipes we have examined, like many other period items, have born a such a pasted dealer/seller label as opposed to the actual maker) These pipes are made in Germany by a family firm who relatively recently discovered the original molds for the pipes which have been in the family, some for over two centuries. The kiln fired pipes are made on the original molds utilizing the original rolled clay process. These are not the more fragile poured slip mold pipes, much more cheaply produced and most often seen on the market today. They are made of rolled clay pressed into the molds and the result is considered a better, cooler smoking pipe with a longer life. They are distinctly identifiable as the surface of the pipe is not quite as smooth as the slip pipes with occasional surface imperfections.  These white pipes were sometimes hand painted to personalize or add detail we leave that to you.