Sven Lar Skulptur by Kabik XL Freehand Estate Briar Pipe, Unsmoked

Description

Sven Lar was the name used by a workshop headed by American freehand carver Michael Kabik. Kabik got his start as one of the earliest freehand carvers in the United States, working for CHP-X Pipes, owned by Chuck Holiday, in the early-1970s. After CHP-X was forced to close, Kabik was approached with the offer of heading a new workshop in Virginia, which ultimately took on the name Sven Lar. As with many American freehand carvers, Kabik was especially influenced by the greats of Danish post-war pipe-making, including Anne Julie, who spent time with Kabik, passing on the techniques of the trade.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen an unsmoked Michael Kabik pipe before. Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever seen the boxes his pipes used to come in, either. That makes this one doubly interesting. This pipe comes from Kabik’s Skulptur line, likely named in reference both to the more artistic (though no less functional) vision behind their designs, and to Kabik’s prior career as a sculptor outside of the medium of briar. The pipe is a very beautiful, large freehand sitter, and could even be described as a kind of avant-garde Oom Paul, with a plateau top and an ornate, ivory-hued stem that I would guess is Lucite.

As mentioned, the pipe is completely unsmoked, with an original bowl coating (the exact recipe for which was taught to Kabik by Anne Julie). It also comes with its original box, which is a little time worn, but intact.

 

Details:

Length: 6.5″ / 165.1mm

Bowl Width: 0.95 / 24.13mm

Bowl Depth: 2.59″ / 65.78mm

Weight: 2.8oz / 80g