Moonlight “Rolling Wave” Dublin Handmade Briar Pipe, New

Description

While some pipe-makers take inspiration from the natural world, or from the technologies of present and past, few of them in the contemporary seek to represent these forms in their work. Czech artisan Ondrej Bárta of Moonlight pipes does just that, in a way that recalls the intricate, figural carvings of briar pipes from the turn of the 20th century. But Ondrej also departs from the figural approach of early briar pipes by combining it with high-grade materials and a careful attention to grain patterns that is far more modern.

Some of Ondrej Bárta’s pipes are figural, in that they represent objects from the world in pipe form. Some of his pipes are more conventional, non-figural shapes, often drawing inspiration from the rich history of modern artisan pipe design. While it may at first look to be firmly in the former camp, this “Rolling Wave” from Bárta’s Moonlight make in fact sits between the two. Comparisons can be drawn, for example, between it and some of Bo Nordh’s pipes, particularly in the way their shapes seem to fold back upon themselves after reaching the rim—most visibly in his “Sea Horse” design. Similar motifs can also be found in certain Japanese artisans, such as Ichi Kitahara, where this recursive effect is even more pronounce, in part by a greater asymmetry in application. This Moonlight takes cues from the Scandinavian and Japanese artisan traditions (including a hand cut amethyst ebonite stem), but also from the sculptural leanings of meerschaum and very early briar carving, resulting in the delicate but elaborate synthesis seen here.

 

Details:

Length: 5.5″ / 139.7mm

Bowl Width: 0.76 / 19.30mm

Bowl Depth: 1.41″ / 35.81mm

Weight: 1.7oz / 50g