Second use

marzo 2026

The moment a pipe breaks, even a cheap clay pipe, is always unfortunate. Every smoker knows that a smoked pipe has a deeper flavour than a new one. It is not surprising that when it breaks, people look for a way to repair the object. This was done very successfully with this izabé. After the stem broke, the end piece was placed in a buffalo horn stem of a porcelain hanging pipe. By chance, both contours of the pipe matched, so that a good-looking object was obtained again. In this way, smoking could be continued, while retaining the pleasant flavour. It is nice to know that pipes with this decoration of somewhat heavier lobes were once called melon flat point. The word melon stood for the larger lobe, while flat point refers to pipes with a spacious bowl, spur, or heel provided with a slightly curved stem with a knob mouthpiece. The maker of this pipe is Jan de Gidts from Gouda, owner of the pipe maker's mark 52 crowned. We also find that mark stamped on the heel. De Gidts worked until 1894, the year of his death. Finally, the braided iron spark catcher completes the object. A pipe with such a short stem gives a greater risk of burning holes in your clothing, hence the cap. To prevent losing it, a safety chain was attached, with an eyelet around the stem. For the original smoker, this was clearly a much-smoked and highly valued pipe.

Amsterdam Pipe Museum APM 30.506

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