Porcelain pipes with figural decorations

22 February 2013

Porcelain is an alternative material for tobacco pipes since the early 18th century. At first these figural pipe bowls were made in small numbers as exclusive objects. From 1800 onward the oval bowl, called "Stummel" or Dutch shape, comes into fashion, the decoration focusing on the painting. From then on the figural pipe is only produced as curiosity. After 1860 the porcelain pipes becomes a mass produced item, lacking any quality. It is the time for Kitsch in figural bowls as well as Stummels. For the full photo album about figural porcelain tobacco pipes, see the facebook page of the Amsterdam Pipe Museum of 22 February 2013. 

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