Extremely Rare and Early 18th Century Pipe Tamper or Stopper with built in knife blade.
Tobacco came in very tightly rolled ‘carotte’s’ when first imported from abroad. These hardened bunches of tobacco leaf could either then be cut into loose tobacco for pipe smoking or grating on a ‘rasp’ to produce a powder to be inhaled off the back of the hand or between the fingers as a pinch.
The blade was used for cutting Tobacco leaf and for cleaning out the pipe furnace of old ‘burnt’ tobacco ash.
This is the first such dedicated ‘penknife’ Tamper I have ever seen. Carved as a Women with Parasol and bag in Early 18th Century costume wearing a bonnet. Under her feet is a turned Brass Ferrule with a knife blade riveted through to fold into Her back.
In the 17th and 18th Centuries Women were as prolific pipe smokers and Snuff takers as men.
This finely carved figural form Pipe Tamp was almost certainly carved for a Lady of some standing judging by her clothes. It is in exceptional functioning condition with the ‘tamp’ part still full visible (sometimes these have worn down.) She is a superb colour and displays extremely well. A Rare and very interesting item of Early Tobacciana. 8.5 cm’s Tall
Circa 1700-1710
Extremely Rare and Early 18th Century Pipe Tamper or Stopper with built in knife blade.
Tobacco came in very tightly rolled ‘carotte’s’ when first imported from abroad. These hardened bunches of tobacco leaf could either then be cut into loose tobacco for pipe smoking or grating on a ‘rasp’ to produce a powder to be inhaled off the back of the hand or between the fingers as a pinch.
The blade was used for cutting Tobacco leaf and for cleaning out the pipe furnace of old ‘burnt’ tobacco ash.
This is the first such dedicated ‘penknife’ Tamper I have ever seen. Carved as a Women with Parasol and bag in Early 18th Century costume wearing a bonnet. Under her feet is a turned Brass Ferrule with a knife blade riveted through to fold into Her back.
In the 17th and 18th Centuries Women were as prolific pipe smokers and Snuff takers as men.
This finely carved figural form Pipe Tamp was almost certainly carved for a Lady of some standing judging by her clothes. It is in exceptional functioning condition with the ‘tamp’ part still full visible (sometimes these have worn down.) She is a superb colour and displays extremely well. A Rare and very interesting item of Early Tobacciana. 8.5 cm’s Tall
Circa 1700-1710
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