A pipe bowl in basaltware

March 2011

This cylindrical pipe bowl with constricted bowl is made from basaltware, stoneware with a matte black shard. This material is generally attributed to Wegdwood, but is also made in some other English factories. It is even unclear how large Wegdwood’s share has been in the entire production. Characteristic of the Wedgwood genre is working with appliques, embossed reliefs in contrasting clay colour, usually in white. On this pipe bowl we see the judgment of Paris depicted above a surrounding rim of oak leaves, with three standing graces posing in front of a seated Paris. The fact that no factory brand has been stamped gives the impression that the pipe bowl is made in Wedgwood style, but not by the factory itself. There were more factories in the Barlaston area in the nineteenth century that made these ceramics. Wegdwood was the inventor, but did not have sole rights. A pity of course that this manufacturer did not leave its name on the product, but of course this happened intentionally. To take full advantage of the original inventor's reputation, the product had to be without a brand name.

Amsterdam Pipe Museum APM 20.396

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