About the middle of last century, and since, the Rodens were famous makers of pipes at Broseley, and to them is due the introduction of “churchwardens” and “London straws,” and they were succeeded in the early part of this century by Mr. Southorn, father of the present well-known maker, Mr. Edwin Southorn. The works at present carried on by Mr. Edwin Southorn were established about 1830 by Noah Roden. In 1856 they passed into the hands of Mr. Southorn, and from that time forward their progress has been of marked improvement in every branch of the manufacture. In 1860 Mr. Southorn introduced the process of transfer printing upon pipes, the same as practised in other branches of ceramics. By this means the crests or armorial bearings, names, mottoes, or monograms of his patrons, trade marks or initials of firms, and signs and names of hotels and inns are produced, as are also other devices in colours. In 1868 Mr. Southorn introduced steam-power into his manufactory, and has rendered it available to all parts of his works; he is thus enabled to produce an enormous quantity, counting at the present time about 10,500 gross or 1,500,000 pipes in the course of a year. The “Broseleys” thus, not only in quantity but in quality—for they are the finest produced both in form, in quality of clay, in beauty of surface, and in manipulation of any made—surpass all others. In 1851, Mr. Southorn received honourable mention as “superior tobacco-pipes” at the Exhibition in that year. Mr. Southorn has also introduced the plan of dipping, or “tipping,” his pipes at the mouth-piece with green or any other coloured glaze, which is one of the most marked improvements of modern days.
The variety of pipes produced at these works is somewhat remarkable. Among these are “large bowls,” 21 inches long; “long plain,” 22 inches long; “long Broseley straws,” or “aldermen,” 27 inches long, “fit for an alderman or a king;” “long straws,” or “churchwardens,” 25 inches long, which Dr. Richardson, at the Bath meeting of the British Association, says are unquestionably the best of pipes; “London straws,” 16 inches; “Raleigh straws,” “Lord Crewes,” 27 inches long; “long Dutch straws,” 28 inches long; “short Broseley straws,” “short tips,” “plain tips,” “S. D. straws,” “dhudeens,” “peg-top straws,” “ovarium straws,” “billiard,” “cutty,” “yachting,” “Broseley meerschaums,” and a score of other kinds. One of the specialities, however, of Mr. Southorn’s productions is his “patent Broseley Narghilé.” In this “the pipe, which is formed of clay noted for its fineness and remarkably porous qualities, is enclosed for a portion of its length in a glass tube, which is filled with water; and the action of the water is to draw away the colouring matter and narcotic poison from the smoke before reaching the smoker’s mouth. The proof of this is in the gradual colouring of the water; which may be readily discharged and the tube refilled. A further effect is coolness of the extremity. The glass tubes are supplied from the Broseley pipe works in every variety of style, and we have never seen so much fine art taste combined with utility as in these, some of them vieing with the ancient Venetian glass in the combination of opaque and clear, &c. It is to be understood that by the ‘Narghilé’ is meant the attachment, or tube containing water, which is removable at the pleasure of the holder; a title that serves to recall the luxurious and costly water-pipes of Turkey, to which, in all their best qualities, this patent completely answers. The ‘patent’ Broseley pipe is manufactured specially for the Narghilé, and is the only clay pipe for which it is adapted. It is evident that a clay, either more or less porous than are these tobacco-pipes, would be equally unsuitable; and what is very remarkable, and shows the perfection to which the manufacture has been carried, these pipes are uniform in porousness, in part due to their being manufactured of the very finest and purest clay.”
Many of the forms adopted by Mr. Southorn are adaptations of mediæval examples, and others are of the most artistic and elegant outline. The mark used by him is usually the name “E. SOUTHORN, BROSELEY,” impressed on the stem. Sometimes his name with the royal arms appears printed on the bowl.
The other pipemakers at Broseley at the present day are Mr. William Southorn, of the late firm of William Southorn and Co.; and Richard Tomkis; but of these it is not necessary to speak.
Coalbrookdale.
The terra cotta works belonging to the world-famed “Coalbrookdale Iron Company” were established in 1861. The beds of clay belonging to this company being peculiarly adapted for the finest and best kinds of terra cotta, they, in conjunction with others in the neighbourhood, undertook to prepare and send, for the Exhibition of 1862, examples of goods made from the various clays of the Shropshire coal fields. The result of this determination was the establishment of this branch of the company’s manufacture, and, so far as it has been carried out, it has proved eminently successful. The colour of the terra cotta is a peculiarly light buff of a pleasing and soft tint; and the quality is of the highest order both for firmness, fineness, hardness, and durability. In it the company produce vases, tazzas, pedestals, brackets, pendants, flower-pots and boxes, chimney-pots, and every variety of architectural decoration. With their well-known skill in design, and with the talented artists they employ for their metal work, it may well be supposed that this company would produce striking and beautiful patterns in their vases and other ornamental goods; and such is the case. There is a peculiar sharpness and beauty in the details of many that is far superior to that produced by some other firms. Some of the designs will be seen in the accompanying engravings.
