WO Larsen Selected Grain 4 Smooth Pear Estate Briar Pipe, Danish Estates

Description

WO Larsen was a tobacconist in Copenhagen Denmark. In the 1960s, when Danish-style pipes were becoming highly sought after, thanks to revolutionary pipe-makers such as Sixten Ivarsson, a workshop was set up on the Larsen premises to produce enough high-grade Danish pipes to meet demand. This workshop was staffed by the emerging masters of Danish pipe-making, such as Sven and Teddy Knudsen, Hans ‘Former’ Nielsen, Jess Chonowitsch, Poul Ilsted, and Benni Jorgensen.

Based on the “LARSEN COPENHAGEN” stamping on this pipe, it would appear to be an early WO Larsen from the beginning of the 1960s. That it’s also a Selected Grain grade would further evince this, as it was absent from later grading schemes. Lastly, the design is very first-generation Danish handmade, being a relatively traditional pear shape, with a distinct, slight backwards cant, and an even more distinct triple-flared stem. I’ve seen this eary Larsen design before, and am reliably informed that it was first conceived by Sven Knudsen. I have to wonder whether it was at least partly influenced by Pibe Dan (later Pipe Dan), as the bowl angle is very “Dan Shape.”

The condition is very good. Some inner rim darkening.

 

Details:

Length: 5.6″ / 142.2mm

Bowl Width: 0.86 / 21.84mm

Bowl Depth: 1.3″ / 33.02mm

Weight: 0.9oz / 26g