Goedewaagen forever

25 May 2024

Every now and then we meet descendants of the Goedewaagen family. Not surprising, our museum has an extensive collection of pipes and tools from this once most important pipe factory in the Netherlands. This week we got a visit from Amy Solov, a direct descendant of the Goedewaagens from Gouda who moved to the States a century ago. They have always kept in touch with their Dutch cousins. So we regularly receive American guests who are still linked to the Dutch pipe history.

Snuff bottles

16 May 2024

This week our collection has been enriched with more than a dozen snuff bottles from China. These are miniature bottles in which tobacco grinded into powder was carried. Characteristic of this phenomenon are the stoppers of these bottles to which a mini spoon is attached. In this way you can bring the tobacco powder to your nose and then sniff it. Many snuff bottles are not only intended as a vial, they also function as a status object and as a collector's item. The acquisitions clearly show this. The origin of these exotic bottles is extra interesting for our museum in Amsterdam. They come from the estate of the portrait painter Clemens Merkelbach van Enkhuizen, who had a well-stocked display case of them in his impressive house along the Keizersgracht.

Reinforcement from France

6 May 2024

Anyone who follows our social media has already seen it. Student Clément Pressé has settled on the Prinsengracht. Because of his love for the pipe and smoking, as a tourism student in Northern France, he chose our museum for his internship. An enterprising boy! He'll be making noise here for over two months. In addition to guided tours in French and English, he is involved in recruiting visitors and translating our website into French. He also learns about the functioning of a museum in many aspects. When he returns, he hopes to know the museum business from inside out.

Cannon fire

4 May 2024

We previously showed a pipe with a cannon in our central display case, which was admired by everyone. The pipe that will be on display in the coming weeks is equally prestigious. It is a large meerschaum bowl with a robust shell shape at the base. The quality of the pipe is made by the mounting in silver, especially the hinged cover. A miniature cannon has been designed on the top with a stack of bullets on both sides. When we open the lid, a second lid becomes visible with a special button. There we see a personal coat of arms and the portrait of the French king Louis Philippe. The chic stem is made of twisted buffalo horn alternated with ivory. Also note the curled snake that acts as a clamp spring, with ruby ​​eyes. Curious about all that luxury? Come and admire!