Jens Tao Nielsen Smooth Bent Apple Estate Briar Pipe, Danish Estates

Description

Along with such figures as Hans ‘Former’ Nielsen, Anne Julie, and Jess Chonowitsch, Jens ‘Tao’ Nielsen is one of the most celebrated surviving members of a second generation of ‘Danish’ pipe design that began in the 1960s. Originally a sailor, Tao first apprenticed in pipe-making under Erik Nording. After meeting Poul Ilsted Bech, who also worked in Nording’s workshop, Tao and Ilsted left Nording to create their preferred style of pipes in the Danish town of Svendborg. Ultimately, the Tao & Ilsted partnership was dissolved, with Ilsted going solo. Tao remained at Svendborg for a few more years, until he too departed to pursue pipes that were wholly his own.

If you’re familiar with Tao’s work, both with Poul Ilsted and alone, you’ll have noticed that there are three shapes that favors above all others: the apple, the bulldog, and the Rhodesian. You’ll also likely have noticed that Tao’s approach to these shapes is very distinct. A Tao pipe is typically a little stubby, more than a little chubby, and eminently round. This Tao apple is no different; it’s a relatively traditional composition, but pipe’s organic curvature holds a grace that is only possible by way of a meticulous hand-shaping. The same goes for its beautifully expressed flame grain.

The condition is near-mint. This pipe came to us from our consignment program, from a collector that had only smoked it once or twice before having to give it up.

 

Details:

Length: 5.5″ / 139.7mm

Bowl Width: 0.85 / 21.59mm

Bowl Depth: 1.33″ / 33.78mm

Weight: 2.2oz / 64g