Old German Clay: Tavern Belge Tobacco Pipe

Old German Clay pipes are hand-crafted by Markus Fohr in Montabaur, Germany, using the region's prized white clay. Maintaining his family's rich pipe-making tradition, Fohr utilizes antique hand-presses to mold pipes in the style of centuries past, with some of the presses dating back to the late 18th century. Until briar was popularized in the mid 19th century, clay pipes dominated the pipe-smoking milieu, and for many, they were the only smoking instruments available: Meerschaum pipes existed, but clay was more ubiquitous and economically accessible. Most public houses and taverns provided a communal supply of clay pipes, often in long, willowy Churchwarden form. Today, while briar pipes have become the norm for most pipe smokers, clay pipes are still available and offer a distinct aesthetic and what many consider a neutral flavor. In fact, pipe-tobacco blenders often utilize clay pipes when testing and experimenting with prospective mixtures. Clay is more delicate than other pipe-making materials, so special care is advised when storing and traveling with a clay pipe; however, they're incredibly heat-resistant and immune to burnout, making them perfect workhorse smokers. Even though the bowl will get hot, there's no risk of damaging the pipe — they're fired in a kiln during production, after all.

Offered here is the sleek Tavern Belge pipe by Markus Fohr, featuring an elongated stem like clay tavern pipes of centuries past.

Note: While all of our other pipes are photographed individually, these are not, and you may expect some reasonable cosmetic variation between the example we've photographed and the pipe you've received.