Pratt ware pipe, modelled as a half length figure of Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson (1758-1805). His right arm is missing, and he wears a uniform coat, waistcoat and ruffled shirt. His tall hat forms the pipe bowl and is inscribed 'NELSON', 'FOR EVER' with two clasped hands moulded below. The details on the figure are picked out in brown. The coiled stem of the pipe is decorated overall with painted flower sprigs and has green-glazed acanthus moulding on the coil and behind the figure. The mouthpiece is painted ochre.

Smoking tobacco had become popular in Europe by the early 17th century, with the pipe becoming the most common way of inhaling (‘drinking’) the smoke. Few women smoked, but, amongst men, tobacco smoking was found at all levels of society. The importation of tobacco provided valuable duty for the government, whilst making merchants such as Glasgow’s ‘Tobacco Lords’ very rich.