Nording (F) XL Smooth Freehand Sitter Estate Briar Pipe, Danish Estates

Description

Nørding was founded by Erik Nørding in the 1960s, and is one of the oldest remaining companies to come out of the Scandinavian pipe-making renaissance that began in the mid-20th century. Now in his 80s, Erik Nørding is one of the most experienced and skilled pipe-makers in the world, and over the decades he has also been a teacher of other Danish masters, such as Poul Ilsted, Svend Axel Celius, Jens Tao Nielsen, Peder Jeppesen, and Søren Erik Andersen.

While Erik Nording is the most prolific producer of freehand pipes in the world today, the ones he currently sells tend to be quite specific in the forms they take. They’re all unique, to be clear, but there are clearly defined parameters for how far this uniqueness can go. After all, even if someone is looking to buy a pipe whose shape is as individual as a “freehand,” they will nonetheless have expectations as to what a freehand is. Back when the freehand, or “Danish fancy,” genre was ascendant, however, representatives of this movement had a little more freedom when it came to form, as they were still very much exploring (and simultaneously defining) uncharted territory. Older pieces like this one, for example, which come from Nording’s time as an early pioneer of the Danish freehand (I’d estimate 1970s), showcase his experimentalism and mastery with briar, while also serving as fascinating artefacts from the history of pipe design. There’s a certain prescience to this one, as well, especially considering the turn to vase-like sitters in contemporary high-grade creations.

The condition is very good. Minor inner rim darkening and handling marks.

 

Details:

Length: 6.8″ / 172.7mm

Bowl Width: 0.97 / 24.63mm

Bowl Depth: 1.65″ / 41.91mm

Weight: 2.6oz / 76g