A matrix by Zenith

October 2001

The production of slip cast pipes developed from the beginning of the twentieth century, but, surprisingly, this industry has not left many traces apart from the finished products. Countless brass and iron moulds have been preserved from the time of the press moulded clay pipes, but virtually nothing remains of the slip casted ceramic pipes and their plaster moulds. For casting ceramic pipes plaster are used and after a limited edition these objects worn out and were thrown away. New moulds were then produced in a so-called matrix or mother mould. Such a matrix, or in other wordsthe positive of the working mould, is shown here. Characteristic is that the mould is included in a flat plate. This has two attachments with an L-shape so that a casting basin is created in which the liquid plaster is poured for a new mould. In addition, the pipe shape in the matrix is in positive. This particular matrix is intended for a hollow-walled tobacco pipe by Zenith with the name intermezzo (or pauze). As the name of the pipe indicates, designed for those who want a brief smoke. The four-sided shape of the pipe bowl, which dissolves into the stem, is characteristic for this design. Inventor is Niels Keus from Amsterdam, who devised various designs for hollow-walled pipes for the Zenith firm. The design was very successful and has been in production for almost thirty years.

Amsterdam Pipe Museum APM 16.233

Archive object of month