Ferndown Bark 2 Star Bent Dublin Estate Briar Pipe, English Estates

Description

Ferndown pipes were made by the legendary British pipe-maker Leslie ‘Les’ John Wood, along with his wife Dolly. Both Les and Dolly previously worked for Dunhill, where Les developed his skills and reputation as Britain’s premier pipe silversmith, as well as one of its premier pipe carvers. Ferndown pipes are highly coveted by pipe-smokers due to their superlative craftsman(and woman!)ship, whose bowls are oil-cured and which typically feature beautiful silverwork. Sadly, Les and Dolly retired from pipe-making in 2016, making Ferndown pipes rather scarce – especially given how difficult it is to get their owners to part with them.

This is a very different Ferndown than I’m used to, and I collect them. Its one of the few pipes from Les and Dolly that looks something like a “freehand” pipe, rather than their more popularly known renditions of traditional English and French shapes. On the other hand, it’s less like a Danish freehand than the modern French variations, such as those of Pierre Morel, that I am told are often called “fleur” shapes, that being the French for “flower.” I’ve categorized it as a Dublin for simplicity’s sake. It’s certainly a beautiful pipe, no matter what you call it, with Ferndown’s signature heft, along with one of Les’s hand-turned silver collars.

The condition is great. Very minor inner rim darkening.

 

Details:

Length: 6.5″ / 165.1mm

Bowl Width: 0.83 / 21.08mm

Bowl Depth: 1.73″ / 43.94mm

Weight: 2.1oz / 62g