Pipe of the Month July 2026

Figural pipe 'Silène', marked 'Gambrine à Paris'

Counterfeiting and imitation are as old as commerce itself. Whenever a manufacturer's product proves successful, competitors are often tempted to copy the product or concept in order to share, with minimal effort, in its commercial success.

During the second half of the nineteenth century, the French firm Gambier of Givet was by far the leading manufacturer of clay tobacco pipes. Its production output was enormous, and its products were consistently distinguished by their attractive designs and exceptional quality. The 2015 Yearbook of the PKN (Foundation for the Study of Historic Tobacco Pipes) included an article examining various forms of imitation and infringement aimed at the unauthorized use of Gambier's products, designs, and trademarks. As a supplement to that study, this month we highlight another example of such practices.

The pipe illustrated here depicts Silenus (French: Silène), a figure that appeared in the catalogues of several French pipe manufacturers. In Greek mythology, Silenus was the ancient god of forests, drunkenness, and viticulture. He is best known as the companion and foster father of the god Dionysus (also known as Bacchus). Silenus is closely associated with the satyrs and is sometimes regarded as the oldest and wisest among them.

With a bowl height of just over 4 cm, the pipe shown here appears to be an exact copy of Gambier's model no. 937. The stem bears an intaglio trademark that at first glance seems to read Gambier. Closer inspection, however, reveals that the stamp actually reads Gambrine.

This is a clear example of a counterfeit product, most likely manufactured in France during the late nineteenth century.

Reference: Esveld, A. van. Misbruik van de naamsbekendheid van Gambier. Jaarboek PKN, Stichting voor Onderzoek Historische Tabakspijpen 2015. 93-99.