Churchwarden pipe

Churchwarden pipe
Savinelli churchwarden pipe(above) in comparison to a more "traditional" pipe(below)

A churchwarden pipe is a tobacco pipe with a long stem. Some churchwarden pipes can be as long as 16 inches (40 cm). Churchwarden pipes are well known for their similar appearance to the pipes used in the The Lord of the Rings books and films. In German the style is referred to as "Lesepfeife" or "reading pipe," presumably because the longer stem allowed an unimpeded view of one's book.

Such pipes were very popular as an Oriental influence from the 17th century onwards in Europe. They remained most popular in Eastern Europe, as an emblem of the "Hussars", cavalry troops with roots in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, who went from Russia to France and England during the Napoleonic Wars and brought the pipes with them. It was even known as the "Hussar pipe" at the time. Historical engravings are full of men who loved having their portraits made while enjoying such a smoking instrument. This long stem pipe type has its origins in the Ottoman Empire, geographically and historically.

Churchwarden pipes generally produce a cooler smoke due to the distance smoke must travel from the bowl to the mouthpiece. They have the added benefit of keeping the users face further away from the heat and smoke produced by combustion in the bowl. They are also more prone to breakage since more pressure is placed on the tenon when the pipe is supported around the mouthpiece. Long ago, churchwarden pipes made of clay and were common in taverns, and sometimes a set of pipes would have been owned by the establishment and used by different clients like other service items (plates, tankards, etc.).


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • churchwarden pipe — noun a tobacco pipe with a long, curved stem …   Wiktionary

  • Churchwarden — This article is about lay office. For smoking pipe, see Churchwarden pipe. Anglicanism portal A churchwarden is a lay official in a parish church or congregation of the Anglican Communion, usually working as a part time volunteer. Holde …   Wikipedia

  • Churchwarden — Church ward en, n. 1. One of the officers (usually two) in an Episcopal church, whose duties vary in different dioceses, but always include the provision of what is necessary for the communion service. [1913 Webster] 2. A clay tobacco pipe, with… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • churchwarden — [chʉrch′wôrd΄ n] n. [ME chirchewardein: see CHURCH & WARDEN] 1. either of two lay officers of an Episcopal church who attend to certain secular matters, as care of church property 2. Brit. a clay tobacco pipe with a very long stem …   English World dictionary

  • pipe — Synonyms and related words: English horn, Missouri meerschaum, Pandean pipe, adjutage, aerophone, anthem, aulos, bagpipe, ballad, bark, barrel, basset horn, basset oboe, bassoon, bawl, bay, beep, bell, bellow, blare, blast, blat, blow, blow a… …   Moby Thesaurus

  • pipe — I (New American Roget s College Thesaurus) n. passage, tube, main; briar, corncob, meerschaum; flute, fife, bagpipe, flageolet. See music, opening, cry. pipe down pipe dream pipe up II (Roget s IV) n. 1. [A tube] Syn. pipeline, drain pipe, sewer …   English dictionary for students

  • pipe — 1. noun 1) a water pipe Syn: tube, conduit, hose, main, duct, line, channel, pipeline, drain; tubing, piping, siphon 2) he smokes a pipe Syn: b …   Thesaurus of popular words

  • churchwarden — noun Date: 15th century 1. one of two lay parish officers in Anglican churches with responsibility especially for parish property and alms 2. a long stemmed clay pipe …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • churchwarden — /cherrch wawr dn/, n. 1. Anglican Ch. a lay officer who looks after the secular affairs of the church, and who, in England, is the legal representative of the parish. 2. Episc. Ch. a lay church officer who, with other members of the vestry, is in …   Universalium

  • churchwarden — noun 1》 either of two elected lay representatives in an Anglican parish.     ↘US a church administrator. 2》 Brit. a long stemmed clay pipe …   English new terms dictionary

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