Rare Pipe With Silver Fittings From Great Exhibition 1851 Owned by William Sitwell of Northumberland
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A Rare Pipe from the Great Exhibition of 1851 Owned by William Sitwell of Northumberland
The Great Exhibition of 1851 at the Crystal Palace saw the first public appearance of Tobacco Pipes for show and sale. One of the top quality pipe exhibitors was Benjamin Barling & Sons Silversmith, who added silver fittings to the most expensive & humble pipes. All Barling pipes for the Exhibition were inscribed registered January 24th 1851 (which this pipe has). Silver was used on the bowl and stem, and mouthpieces were made of cherry wood.
When purchased this pipe was engraved with the crest for William Hurt Sitwell (from Barmoor Castle, Northumberland). William was a member of the famous Sitwell family and was a noted soldier seeing action in the Napoleonic Wars, India Wars & the 1st China Opium War. He was born in 1803 & died in 1865.
The Sitwells came from a wealthy and aristocratic background. They were the children of Sir George Sitwell, 4th Baronet, an eccentric antiquarian and landowner, and Lady Ida Sitwell. Their family estate was Renishaw Hall in Derbyshire, although they had Northumberland connections through their broader lineage.
The Sitwells were seen as rivals to the Bloomsbury Group and were known for their sharp wit, aristocratic eccentricity, and championing of modernism in literature and the arts. Their influence on early 20th-century British culture was significant, particularly in poetry and patronage of new artistic movements.
It is rare to be able to identify any item that was shown at Crystal Palace & to have the owner’s provenance is unique.
A rare survivor!
Condition is good, commensurate with age and use. Structurally sound and functions well. No obvious issues.
Measures 13cm
Weighs 34.92 grams