Meerschaum pipe of Marshal Blucher, 1815

Meerschaum clay with silver mountings, probably of Prussian manufacture, 1815 (c).

This is a pipe of Count Gebhard von Blucher, who commanded the Prussian Army during the Waterloo campaign. Marshal Blucher lost this pipe two days before the Battle of Waterloo when Prussian forces clashed with the French at Ligny. Blucher's horse was shot from under him during the battle and the pipe was retrieved when he was carried in shock from the battlefield. Blucher recovered enough to lead his forces at Waterloo where they arrived in time to ensure victory over Napoleon.