Big Ben Churchwarden

For many, it is a curiosity that they have at best encountered in fantasy films such as The Lord of the Rings: the reading pipe, known in English as the Churchwarden, hence the name of this Big Ben series. Its characteristic feature is its long mouthpiece, which not infrequently brings the pipes to a length of over forty centimetres.

Today, these pipes seem to come from another world. In fact, they come from a different era. Before briar became established as a raw material in the 19th century, pipes were made of clay or porcelain, a material that did not absorb much heat. Accordingly, a long stem was needed so that the hot smoke could cool on its way to the mouth.

Churchwarden means sexton and refers to the fact that in the past, people often associated churchwardens with these projecting pipes. In Germany, it is more commonly referred to as a reading pipe, which in turn has its meaning in the fact that the pipe can be held in the mouth while reading a newspaper or other reading matter because of the long handle.

The Big Ben Churchwarden are perfectly shaped specimens in various colours and shapes. All pipes with acrylic mouthpiece for 9mm filter.