Bjarne Handmade Smooth Freehand Sitter Estate Briar Pipe, Danish Estates

Description

Bjarne Nielsen was one of the towering figures of Danish pipe-making until his passing in 2008. As the founder of Bjarne, Nielsen employed talented pipe-makers from Denmark to produce distinctly Danish pipes and sold them to a devoted international audience. Among those in his employ were figures such as Mogens Johansen (also known as Johs), Ph. Vigen, Ole Bandholm and Tonni Nielsen. Though Bjarne pipes are no longer manufactured, they are still in good demand by those who enjoy well-made pipes in the tradition of Danish design.

Given the explosion in freehand pipe-making in the 1970s, it’s only natural that carvers would begin to raise the stakes with their designs, creating ever-more beautiful and distinct works to compete in an increasingly crowded market. This Bjarne shows a number of distinct adaptations within the “Danish fancy” movement. For one, it has a foot-like base that I’m fairly certain is ebonite, and which further assists the pipe in sitting comfortably on its own accord. It also has a clear stem that may well be perspex, or at least something similar to the material GBD famously used a few decades prior. It also shows one adaptation that is less distinct, but is nonetheless prized: beautiful, straight grain patterns. The result is quite masterful, especially when you take into account how large this pipe is.

The condition is near-mint. Unless you looked closely into the chamber, you might think it was unsmoked, as I initially did.

 

Details:

Length: 6.6″ / 167.6mm

Bowl Width: 0.98 / 24.89mm

Bowl Depth: 1.69″ / 42.92mm

Weight: 2.6oz / 76g