Why are Pipes Called Terra Cotta?

[mso489]

Terra Cotta is a hard semi fired waterproof ceramic clay. Why are briar pipes called Terra Cotta? I don't think ceramics are used in their design.

Color it is. Most Terra Cotta I've seen is in the form of pots, statues for decoration or pots for plants to live in for some time. The broken pieces of a pot (shards) make great humidifiers for dry tobacco.

 

[Ahi Ka]

Tom, that is one of life’s great unsolved mysteries

 

[timelord]

Is it not just the colour of the bowl?

 

[username]

I just assumed it was the color.

 

[tobakenist]

I think it is the Colour (color) Terra Cotta word is used for colouring. Lorenzo used the colour name Terra Cotta for there pipes that what I would call Orange.

 

[woodsroad]

Why are briar pipes called Terra Cotta?

Never, ever heard that.
I do enjoy Cotta Cheese, and I've been to Terra Haute, Indiana, and I do enjoy Haute Cuisine, but I prefer my pipes to be made from PVC and at least Schedule 40 (Schedule 80 if buried). And I cotta really big trout the one time I went fishing.

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[sablebrush52]

Is it not just the colour of the bowl?

Correct! Terra cotta is also the name of a type of red color, when used as a staining descriptive it's always used with a red stain. The first time I heard it used in relationship to a pipe stain was when Peterson released its resurrection of the 4 AB a couple of years ago.

 

[simong]

Because ‘Panna Cotta’ would sound stupid & therefore command a lower selling price.

 

[Ahi Ka]

Because ‘Panna Cotta’ would sound stupid & therefore command a lower selling price.

Interesting. I thought that term was used for meerschaum pipes with pre-coloured/fumed rims.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Interesting. I thought that term was used for meerschaum pipes with pre-coloured/fumed rims.

That's calcining.

 

[simong]

Interesting. I thought that term was used for meerschaum pipes with pre-coloured/fumed rims.

No. You’re thinking of ‘Créma Catalana’ which you can charge more for than the more ‘pedestrian’ calcined rim.

 

[Ahi Ka]

No. You’re thinking of ‘Créma Catalana’ which you can charge more for than the more ‘pedestrian’ calcined rim.

Aha. Thanks for clarifying. I almost purchased a “crème bruyere” off eBay by mistake. I’ll keep an eye out for the real deal now

 

[simong]

Aha. Thanks for clarifying. I almost purchased a “crème bruyere” off eBay by mistake. I’ll keep an eye out for the real deal now

You know we’re both having a boring Sunday when we’re trying to crack jokes on a pipe forum. Lol. I’m off for a pint!

 

[Ahi Ka]

You know we’re both having a boring Sunday when we’re trying to crack jokes on a pipe forum. Lol. I’m off for a pint!

Enjoy your speckled hen guvna!

 

[bullet08]

My favorite color for the pipes.

 

[shanez]

Aha. Thanks for clarifying. I almost purchased a “crème bruyere” off eBay by mistake. I’ll keep an eye out for the real deal now

Don't know about that but I really like creme brulee.

 

[shanez]

Enjoy your speckled hen guvna!

One of the best beers ever!

 

[Ahi Ka]

Don't know about that but I really like creme brulee.

Me too. Blueberry is my favourite

 

[Sobrbiker]

Me too. Blueberry is my favourite

Raspberry, and the caramelized sugar must be like ice on a skating rink!

Haven’t found an urge for tetra cotta colored pipes yet.

 

[Ahi Ka]

Raspberry, and the caramelized sugar must be like ice on a skating rink!

Do you do white chocolate with the raspberry or just a vanilla flavour?