Pipe Case
mid 17th century (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
In the 17th and 18th centuries the most common means of smoking tobacco was through clay pipes, for which Gouda in Holland was a leading centre of manufacture. Being fragile, such pipes were stored and carried in purpose-made cases, such as this Sri Lanka example made of wood and overlaid with panels of pierced ivory. Among European communities in Asia, the need for pipe cases was even greater than at home: replacement pipes had to be imported, and were therefore both comparatively expensive and in short supply. This case is configured to hold two pipes.
Object details
Category | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Wood, overlaid with pierced ivory, with brass pins and metal mounts |
Brief description | Pipe case, wood, overlaid with pierced ivory, mid 17th century, Sri Lanka. |
Physical description | Pipe case, wood, overlaid with pierced ivory; decorated with a foliate/ arabesque design. With brass pins and metal mounts. |
Dimensions |
|
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | In the 17th and 18th centuries the most common means of smoking tobacco was through clay pipes, for which Gouda in Holland was a leading centre of manufacture. Being fragile, such pipes were stored and carried in purpose-made cases, such as this Sri Lanka example made of wood and overlaid with panels of pierced ivory. Among European communities in Asia, the need for pipe cases was even greater than at home: replacement pipes had to be imported, and were therefore both comparatively expensive and in short supply. This case is configured to hold two pipes. |
Bibliographic reference | Luxury goods from India : the art of the Indian cabinet maker / Amin Jaffer. London: V&A Publications, 2002 Number: 1851773819
p.51, ill. |
Collection | |
Accession number | W.147-1928 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
Record created | November 27, 2002 |
Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest