J. Andrew Kovacs 1993 XL Smooth Freehand Estate Briar Pipe, American Estates

Description

J. Andrew Kovacs was an American artisan from Arizona. Working mostly in the late 20th century, Kovacs was part of the great American freehand scene, ultimately passing on his knowledge of pipe-making to later figures such as Horace DeJarnett.

The last J. Andrew pipe we had in seemed to lean more toward the Italian freehand schools, being a variant on the fan shape commonly seen in their more artistically-inclined output. This one, on the other hand, is 100% Danish, to my eyes. In fact, I’d put it up there with Preben Holm and his Hallmark, or even Private Collection or Nobel Prize, series. It is impressively cut, not only for its size and the way it elevates the natural straight grain of the briar, but also in its extraordinary shaping, with flutes and furls that make the wood seem as soft as fabric. Now that’s what I call a freehand.

The condition is great. Some inner rim darkening but nothing major at all.

 

Details:

Length: 7.5″ / 190.5mm

Bowl Width: 0.86 / 21.84mm

Bowl Depth: 1.24″ / 31.49mm

Weight: 4.4oz / 126g