Clay pipe, Sweden, Stockholm, 1772
On 19 August 1772, King Gustav III and his followers staged a coup d’état in order to impose a new form of government. Essentially, this would give the Regent greater influence at the expense of Parliament and the Government.
The people who helped the king during the coup d’état received gifts such as swords, jewellery and medals celebrating the revolution. That said, these people were mainly members of the social elite.
One type of artefact that was more commonly used in society was the “revolution pipe”. This was a clay pipe bearing a crowned monogram with a G inside. Around the monogram is the inscription: “A: 1772 D. 19 AVG.” The monogram can be found on one or both sides of the pipe head.
Only one pipe bearing the manufacturer’s name has been found to date. That pipe was made by Mauritz Kirstein in Stockholm. Only the head of the revolution pipe from the Gubben district is preserved; the stem has been broken and come adrift.
)Object number: 1374551_HST
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