Terminology
Smoker’s companions have been known by
several different terms, including pipe tongs, pipe tongues, and
ember tongs. These terms may refer to other types of ember-holders
that would not be considered smoker’s companions. For example,
there were much longer tools with a similar spring-loaded grip
that are referred to as pipe or ember tongs. These were usually
at least 14 inches long, and some measured as long as 26 inches.
They might have tampers and pipe scrapers integrated into their
design, but they were not as portable as the smaller smoker’s
companions and they were too skinny and delicate to serve as a
strike-a-light. These long pipe or ember tongs were clearly something
to be kept by a fireplace, not something to be carried by a smoker
on the go.
Other types of ember tongs include small versions
of fireplace tongs and styles that look like scissors, but with
ember-grabbing tips instead of blades. The latter scissor-like
style might also have integrated joints that would cause the tongs
to extend when closed. These were known as “lazy”
tongs.
The term “smoker’s companion”
would not refer to any of these long pipe/ember tongs. “Smoker’s
companion” usually has one of two meanings: it either refers
to modern desk sets that might include an ashtray, cigarette holder,
and lighter, or it describes the small portable tools used for
pipe smoking discussed above. This section of the website is devoted
to smoker’s companions in the latter category only.
How to Navigate
the Smoker’s Companions
This website pictures all of the smoker’s
companions that have been located in the MAC Lab’s collections,
but because they are relatively rare finds they are easily searched
by looking at thumbnail photos of all examples. Click on any thumbnail
for a larger version of the photo, an x-radiograph of the object
to show its appearance underneath corrosion layers, and details
on site context and date range. Click on any site number or name
to link to a page summarizing that site’s history and excavation.
Authorship and
Acknowledgements
The Smoker’s Companion section of the
Diagnostic Artifacts in Maryland webpage was written by Sara Rivers
Cofield, Curator of Federal Collections at the Maryland Archaeological
Conservation Laboratory (MAC Lab). Conversion to web format was
completed by Sharon Raftery, MAC Lab Administrative Assistant.
The author thanks MAC Lab staff members Patricia Samford, Ed Chaney,
and Rebecca Morehouse, who provided editorial assistance and aided
in locating artifacts.
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