Churchwarden Collection

Victorian church warden lighting fire on Christmas Eve
Vintage engraving of from the childrens story of The Robins Christmas Eve, 19th Century

Clay pipes from Southorns pipeworks, Broseley, Shropshire
A selection of clay pipes found in the workshops of Southorns pipeworks, Broseley, Shropshire - now The Broseley Pipe Museum Date: 1987

Mr Ivor Southorn, at the Brosley Clay Pipe works
Mr Ivor Southorn, whose great, great grandfather William Southorn started clay pipemaking on an industrial scale in Broseley, Shropshire

Captain Cuttle, Dombey and Son
Charles Dickens Characters by Frank Reynolds for Buchanans Whisky - Captain Cuttle, Dombey and Son. 1912

The Shepherd's Calendar, 1848
3480182 The Shepherd's Calendar, 1848; (add.info.: Farmers reading the newspaper and smoking churchwarden pipes in the local tavern)

The Churchwardens (oil on canvas)
868511 The Churchwardens (oil on canvas) by Jonas, Lucien Hector (1880-1947); Musee Municipal, Cambrai, France; (add.info.: The Marguilliers)

Countryman Smoking a Churchwarden, 1804
1574630 Countryman Smoking a Churchwarden, 1804 by Bewick, Thomas (1753-1828); (add.info.: Countrtyman smoking a churchwarden, clay)

The Peddler of Swaffham, c. 1462 (wood)
XCF286400 The Peddler of Swaffham, c.1462 (wood) by English School, (15th century); Swaffham Parish Church, Norfolk; English, out of copyright

The Peddler of Swaffham, c. 1462 (wood)
XCF285199 The Peddler of Swaffham, c.1462 (wood) by English School, (15th century); Swaffham Parish Church, Norfolk; English, out of copyright

The Religious War in Belgravia (engraving)
2772531 The Religious War in Belgravia (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Religious War in Belgravia)

The Peddler of Swaffham, c. 1462 (wood)
XCF285198 The Peddler of Swaffham, c.1462 (wood) by English School, (15th century); Swaffham Parish Church, Norfolk; English, out of copyright

The Old Curiosity Shop, 1841
1574606 The Old Curiosity Shop, 1841 by Browne, Hablot Knight (Phiz) (1815-92); (add.info.: Quilp and his friends encamped in the parlour of the Old Curiosity Shop smoking their churchwarden pipes)

The Artists Pipe Dreams, 1900 (colour litho)
473348 The Artists Pipe Dreams

A churchwarden - Bath Abbey, England
A churchwarden sits to read beneath the memorials during a quiet moment in Bath Abbey, England Date: 1999

Abandoned kiln and buildings at Southorns pipeworks Broseley, Shropshire - now The Broseley Pipe Museum. The kiln which held between 75, 000 and 100, 000 pipes in each firing

Account book and clay pipes found at Southorns pipeworks
Account book and clay pipes found in the workshops of Southorns pipeworks, Broseley, Shropshire - now The Broseley Pipe Museum Date: 1987

The Churchwardens, c1860(?). Artist: A Danse
The Churchwardens, c1860(?)

A Parish Feast, 1741. Humbly inscribed to the church-wardens, vestrymen, questmen, and Parish officers, by Sr Guzzledown Tearfowl. Illustration from Social Caricature in the Eighteenth Century

Greetings card with mirror
Greetings card with a gold-framed mirror -- This is a face which grows on you, but -- Date: circa 1890s

A silk weaver of Spitalfields, 1840
A silk weaver of Spitalfields, sporting a top hat and churchwarden pipe. Date: 1840

Whitby Parish poor relief voucher for coal
A voucher for a shilling bag of coal, issued as poor relief by the Churchwarden at Whitby, North Yorkshire

Neauddfawr Foxhounds, South Wales
The opening meet of the Neauddfawr Foxhounds in South Wales. The MFH is a woman, Mrs Hughes, who is also churchwarden of Llanwnen Church

Man puzzling over a game of draughts
A man puzzling over a game of draughts, which he appears to be playing solo. He holds a long churchwarden pipe in his mouth. Date: early 20th century

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"Unveiling the Victorian Tradition: Churchwarden Lighting Fire on Christmas Eve" Step back in time to a frosty Christmas Eve in Shropshire, where Mr Ivor Southorn, owner of the renowned Brosley Clay Pipe works, meticulously crafts churchwardens. These long-stemmed clay pipes from Southorns pipeworks have become synonymous with elegance and sophistication. As we delve into history, we discover that churchwardens were not only used for smoking but also held cultural significance. In "The Churchwardens, " an exquisite oil painting captures their essence as symbols of tradition and spirituality. Dating back to 1804, "Countryman Smoking a Churchwarden" showcases how these pipes were embraced by rural communities. The image depicts a contented countryman enjoying his pipe while immersing himself in nature's beauty. Traveling further into the past, we encounter "The Peddler of Swaffham, " carved from wood around 1462. This enigmatic figure is said to have found great fortune through a dream involving two angels pointing towards London – leading him to unearth hidden treasure. A churchwarden clutched between his fingers symbolizes wisdom and contemplation during this extraordinary journey. Literature enthusiasts may recall Captain Cuttle from Charles Dickens' novel "Dombey and Son. " With his trusty churchwarden always at hand, he embodies resilience and camaraderie amidst life's trials. Intriguingly titled "The Religious War in Belgravia, " an engraving transports us to an era when social status was intertwined with religious affiliation. Here, even the choice of a churchwarden could signify one's devotion or allegiance within high society circles. Finally, let us not forget Little Nell from Dickens' masterpiece "The Old Curiosity Shop. " As she embarks on her poignant adventure through Victorian England, her grandfather's cherished possession is none other than a beloved churchwarden, a symbol of comfort and companionship.