A very useful website for anyone that is interested in clay pipes, the ubiquitous foreshore find!

Photo by N.Cohen

Clay tobacco pipes were an important part of everyday London life from the end of the 16th century onwards, surviving in considerable quantities from archaeological excavations. Many pipe makers marked their products with their personal initials or symbols, some of which can be identified with documented individuals working in London. This is part of a major project being undertaken by MoLAS to create a physical and digital database of clay pipe makers’ marks from London excavations, including both pipes made in the capital and imported from further afield. The first stage of this project focuses on stamped makers’ marks dating to between c 1580 and 1710.

Access to the Museum of London clay pipe database