Brakner Antique Royal Danois 813, Sandblasted Estate Briar Pipe [SOLD OUT]

Description

Peter Brakner (né Micklson) was one of the godfathers of the Danish pipe-making movement that emerged in the mid-20th century. He began his career at Suhr’s Pibemageri, a pipe workshop whose foreman at the time was Sixten Ivarsson. There he also met Poul Rasmussen, who took over as foreman after Ivarsson departed. Along with Ivarsson and Rasmussen, Brakner was one of the first pipe-makers to sell their pipes through W.Ø. Larsen. It is thanks to pipe-makers like Brakner that the ‘Danish style’ achieved the fame and commercial success that would ultimately make it what it is today, though sadly Brakner’s sudden, early death meant that he would not live to see this legacy in full bloom.

Not only is this Brakner pipe dressed in his signature micro-rustication (which was ultimately lost to time upon his passing), it’s one of his signature shapes, a Royal Danois 813, which can be found on page 8 of W.O. Larsen’s 1960-1961 catalog. It is certainly a distinct design, taking the elements of the traditional opera shape (albeit without an oval chamber) and extending them in ways hitherto never before seen in the world of pipes. One might consider designs like this to be a boundary point between the neoclassical stylings of the early Danish movement and its embrace of the avant-garde.

It is a fairly large pipe, though one that is not especially heavy given its size. The bowl is elliptical and partially rusticated, with its rim left polished smooth. The stem is flared and pre-empts the Danish ‘fancy’ style that would soon emerge. It is simply a wonderful historical artifact – and I would imagine, if my own Brakners are anything to go by, a tremendous smoker too. The condition is superb, with only an abrasion on the stem and some very minor rim darkening to mention. It is rare to come across such a well preserved Brakner these days – or indeed any Brakners at all – so I will be quite happy to see this one off to its next owner and admirer (and perhaps, a little sad too).

 

Details:

Length: 6.2″

Bowl Width: 19.7mm

Bowl Depth: 1.9″

Weight: 1.6oz / 47g