Fragment pijpenkop 1710 - 1740

This is a fragment of a clay pipe head, made by an anonymous craftsperson. The material is humble, of course: simple pipe clay. The original would have been formed by pressing the soft clay into a mold, then firing it. But consider the amount of this sort of thing that would have been made, given the explosion of tobacco use across Europe and around the world. We can imagine a long table, with artisans diligently repeating the same action over and over. A fragile, disposable item, the survival of this fragment offers a tangible link to past habits, and invites us to reflect on the labor involved in satisfying those habits. This speaks to the broader context of trade, labor, and consumption. So, when looking at this shard, it's important to remember that even humble objects can be powerful reminders of the complex social and economic forces that shape our world.