Brakner Antique Bella Danica 604 Bulldog Estate Briar Pipe, Danish Estates [SOLD]

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.

Brakner pipes are not especially common. Brakner pipes that are completely, or almost completely, rusticated in his secret, signature “Antique” micro-rustication are even less common. I was very pleased, therefore, for this pipe to arrive on my desk, courtesy of our trade-in program. I’ve seen one or two of Brakner’s “604” bulldog shape before, but never with a smooth polished rim. It is an aesthetic quite ahead of its time, even within Danish pipe-making, setting a precedent followed by makes and makers from Bjarne to Kent Rasmussen. On a functional note the bowl of this Brakner is narrower than most, which should make it an excellent pipe for flake blends.

The condition is great. I’ve found that many Brakners seem to lose their green dot stem inlay over time, whereas this one has managed to hold onto Brakner’s emblem. There is a little darkening on the back rim, but it is less than one might think, as the rim is crossed by a couple of naturally darker striations in the briar itself. The stem has a small scuff.

 

Details:

Length: 6″ / 152.4mm

Bowl Width: 0.79 / 20.06mm

Bowl Depth: 1.53″ / 38.86mm

Weight: 1.9oz / 54g