Little Mudlarked Clay Pipe Stem Earrings

Historical Information

Type: Clay Pipe Stem Fabric: Earthenware

Date: Est 17" - 19th Century

Find Location: Essex, UK

Extra information:

Clay pipes were a once-common object that offer a fascinating insight into everyday life in Britain. Clay pipes were first introduced in the late sixteenth century & remained the principal way of smoking tobacco for over 300 years. Inexpensive to produce & widely available, they were often broken or discarded after relatively short use, making them one of the most frequently recovered archaeological artefacts. Their changing shapes & sizes allow archaeologists to date them with remarkable accuracy, while maker's marks can sometimes reveal where they were produced. Carefully repurposed into wearable jewellery, this fragment preserves a small piece of Britain's social history. transforming an everyday object into a lasting reminder of the lives and habits of the past.