GBD Unique Smooth Vase Estate Briar Pipe, English Estates [SOLD OUT]

Description

GBD was one of several prominent examples of a French pipe brand that, due to certain circumstances, became a maker associated with classic ‘British’ pipes. Founded in 1850 by the French trio Ganneval, Bondier & Donninger, the brand was bought and moved to London at the beginning of the 20th century, were it continued to produce high-quality and highly desirable pipes.

GBD’s Unique line were the company’s most distinct and – as you can imagine – unique offerings. Nowadays, they’re collectors’ items, in addition to being great British smokers. Carved freehand by the highly talented former Barling pipe-maker Horry Jamieson in the 1960s and 1970s, the Uniques featured more playful and innovative designs than the English-French shapes GBD was previously made for. But, as can be imagined, freehand carving a pipe is a process that is slower and harder to scale than factory machining, meaning far fewer Uniques were made than GBD’s standard lines. This makes them quite rare and highly coveted.

This particular Unique is a nice ‘vase’ style shape. I’ll note that, in addition to being lovely to look at, the shape feels really good in the hand due to the contours of the vase form. The look of it really is something else though. The briar has some mesmerizing grain, with one side of the bowl covered in bird’s-eyes, and the other a mixture of flame grain and more bird’s-eyes. Despite the stain being a deep, wine red, the natural grain patterns have not been smothered, being instead accentuated by its various contrasting hues.

The pipe has also been wonderfully preserved since its manufacture 50-60 years ago. The rim is smooth, the vulcanite stem is free of indents, and the bowl is unscuffed. A real prize for its next owner,

 

Details:

Length: 6.5″

Bowl Width: 23.4mm

Bowl Depth: 2″

Weight: 2.7oz / 77g