Unusual cigar holder

August 2014

Although from the first introduction of the cigar in the late eighteenth century, all kinds of cigar holders were made, it was only after 1850 that there was a real boom in cigar pipes. Not surprisingly, during that period the habit of smoking a cigar becomes more common and a much larger group of smokers is looking for cigar pipes to flaunt to your guests. The glass cigar holder shown here is one of those curiosities that is certainly not intended for everyday use, but which is particularly suitable as a gift to the cigar smoker. The stem of this transparent glass pipe is wound in a spiral shape, the bowl for holding the cigar protrudes slightly from the silhouette, while the mouthpiece is bent at right angles and does not even have a button-shaped mouthpiece at the end. The glass is not completely transparent, the glass blower has subtly blown a slightly rotating dark red line into the spiral. In use, this pipe gives an unexpected effect. The cigars of the heavier Havana tobacco contain more tar and nicotine, and after just one smoking it sticks against the inner wall of the pipe, which quickly changes colour from tan to deep dark brown. Thanks to the precipitation of a considerable amount of moisture against the inside of the pipe, the cigar smoke does get a dry and therefore pleasant taste.

Amsterdam Pipe Museum APM 21.941

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