Description
The history of clay pipes dates back to at least the 16th century, with some scholarly sources indicating they were produced in England around 1558, shortly after the introduction of tobacco from North America. The longest clay pipes ever produced were an incredible 18-36 inches (46 – 91.5cm) long and are often referred to as ‘churchwarden’ clay pipes. In the 18th century, church buildings were open all night, and churchwardens were responsible for watching the church premises. To pass the long hours, they would smoke their clay pipes. There have been a huge number discovered by ‘mudlarks’ who search the bed of the River Thames where the exceptionally long stems of the “churchwarden” clay pipes would keep the heat and smoke away from the face of night watchmen there, so the line of sight was not obstructed as they kept watch
